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Sunday, October 6, 2024

Schools to be closed as third wave of Covid-19 hits

Shafqat Mehmood announces the closure of schools in Punjab as Covid-19 cases increase. Schools will remain closed for 2 weeks as Government reviews the situation.

The National Command and Operation Center called a meeting earlier today in Islamabad to discuss the closing of schools in Punjab. The meeting which took place at the NCOC headquarters was attended by provincial education ministers, including ministers from AJK and GB. Federal Minister for Education and Professional Trainings, Shafqat Mehmood, presided the meeting.

 

It has been decided that all schools, colleges, and universities in Faisalabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Gujarat, and Sialkot will be closed from Monday till 28th March.

The rising cases of Covid-19 have sparked concern as doctors have called it the third wave of the virus. For the safety of the population, all schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed in the mentioned cities.

Read more: Coronavirus Fear: Is School Closure the only Solution?

Shafqat Mehmood stated that all educational institutes in the Capital territory will close from March 15. The decision regarding Muzaffarabad will be taken by the AJK Government and as for Sindh and Balochistan, schools will resume operation by implementing the alternative day policy i.e. 50% attendance.

 

This decision regarding the closure of schools has come just days after the government announced they were going back to regular 5-6 days a week classes from the first of this month, however, the surge in Corona cases has once again mandated the closure of schools.

Read more: Pakistan to shut schools as COVID-19 cases spike

The education minister, however, clarified that O level, A level and other exams will be held as per schedule in Pakistan under strict SOPs.

“Our children are giving [inter and matric] exams in Pakistani boards hence the same [rule] will also apply for children giving exams for other boards,” he said, referring to O level and A level students.

Dr Faisal Sultan, who also attended the NCOC meeting, stated that the meeting has decided to continue the ban on the activities at indoor venues, i.e. wedding, dining, till April 15th due to the rising number of Covid cases.

Strict SOPs will be followed as the Government reviews the situation.