ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers via video-link will finalize schools reopening across the country tomorrow (15th January 2021), according to federal education minister Shafqat Mahmood.
In a tweet, the Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that health ministers will be present at the meeting to review the current coronavirus situation before reopening of schools across the country.
“Education and Health Ministers meeting again tomorrow to review the coronavirus situation before students start coming to school.” the federal minister said on Twitter. “While I desperately want education to continue the final decision will be on health grounds. Students well being will always be a priority.” he added.
Education and Health Ministers meeting again tomorrow to review the coronavirus situation before students start coming to school. While I desperately want education to continue the final decision will be on health grounds. Students well being will always be a priority
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 14, 2021
Reopening of schools from 18th January 2021
During the last meeting of education ministers on 4th January 2021, it was decided to postpone schools reopening by two weeks as the coronavirus situation seemed unfavorable at the time to have students attend physical classes.
As per the new plan, the reopening of schools across the country is scheduled to take place in phases starting 18th January 2021 with class 9 through 12 while primary school through grade 8 students will return to institutions from 25th January.
Universities will be the last to open starting February 1st, which will be the last phase of reopening educational institutions.
However, it was directed that all schools will have 50 percent students attending classes on alternate days like before to main social distancing protocols..
Read more: Schools reopening in phases from 18 January: Education Ministry.
Closure of educational institutes
The Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced the closure schools across the country from 26th November 2020 till 10th January 2021 after a surge in cases of the coronavirus during the second wave of infections.
The meeting of education ministers and health officials tomorrow (15th January 2021) will finalize the schools reopening in Pakistan based on the coronavirus situation. The federal education minister has emphasized that final decision will be taken keeping in view the health of students and teachers, which is the utmost priority.
Read more: Schools in Pakistan closed till 10 January 2021, says education ministers.