ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) will review on Tuesday, the reopening of educational institutes in the country amid increasing number of coronavirus cases. Official sources revealed that Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood has suggested the NCOC to invite provincial education ministers to the meeting. The meeting would be attended by all concerned officials, the sources added.
The advice of the Health Ministry will be crucial for reopening of educational institutes, which were earlier scheduled to reopen from September 23 i.e. for Class VI-VIII. Sources further said that with the current trend in coronavirus cases, schools would likely to be opened as per the agreed schedule.
Mehmood has stated that the health of the students was the government's top priority, and any decision made in that regard would be guided by the Ministry of Health. There is no change regarding the timetable announced earlier, after the inter-provincial meeting of the education ministers.
"We will meet in the NCOC on 22nd to decide finally but if the current trend remains, no reason to postpone VI-VIII classes opening on September 23," the minister added. The NCOC has so far closed around 35 schools in the country, over flouting health guidelines, and the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Educational institutions were opened on September 15 for the students of matric and above grades. In the second phase, the secondary schools are scheduled for reopening on September 23, while primary schools will reopen on September 29.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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