Provincial ministers have mutually agreed to keep schools closed in the wake of the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country, sources said on Monday.
The decision has been made during the ongoing Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) convened to discuss school closures, chaired by the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood.
Per sources, Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that children’s health and safety is the top-most priority of the government.
During the meeting, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that if schools should be closed, then parks, shopping malls, and other recreational places should also be closed.
“As far as closing schools is concerned, all the ministers have mutually agreed but micro-decisions regarding examinations and other matters will be taken by the respective provinces.”
“We have decided to reopen schools from January 11, 20201,” he said.
Stances of Centre and provinces
NCOC
As coronavirus cases spiked across the country, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) recommended early and extended vacations.
Speaking to Geo.tv on November 19, Federal Minister for Planning and Development and NCOC chief Asad Umar said the national body suggested cutting short summer break next year to compensate for the early and extended winter vacations this year.
Federal government
On Saturday, Mahmood said in Geo News programme Jirga that the federal government was recommending closure of schools from November 25 and moving education online. He added that teachers would come to the school and stay in touch with students.
Mahmood said that at those educational institutes where facilities for online education are not available, students would come to school one day and take their homework.
Punjab
Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas had opposed school closure during last Monday’s moot. Ahead of today’s meeting, Raas said a “sensible decision” will be taken as “lives matter the most”.
“If I close the schools people are not happy. If I keep the schools open people are not happy. Let me just inform everyone that decision will be made on data that is being given to me,” Raas said in a tweet.
Sindh
After a meeting with stakeholders, the Sindh Education Department decided against schools’ closure and winter vacations. Provincial education minister Saeed Ghani said the department’s verdict represented the province’s position, adding that a national decision would ultimately be taken at the IPEMC.
Sindh further decided that students will not be promoted again without sitting for examinations.
Balochistan
The Balochistan government announced early and extended winter vacations last week.
