Recommendations compiled during the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) to be sent to the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) for further deliberations among all the stakeholders.
ISLAMABAD: Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Monday chaired a meeting of Pakistan's provincial education ministers to make a final decision on whether to reopen educational institutes across the country from September 15.
The Higher Education Commission's (HEC) chairperson and executive director, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, and officials of the health department were also present at the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC), which aimed to compile the final recommendations regarding the opening of educational institutes.
The recommendations to resume educational activities would be sent to the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) for further deliberations among all the stakeholders.
The meeting was set to also focus on finalizing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in this regard. Educational institutes across Pakistan had been shut down back on March 13 in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
The Single National Curriculum (SNC), a short curriculum for the current academic year, examinations in 2021, and establishment of anti-harassment bodies in the provinces were also on the meeting's agenda.
A discussion on the transition plans related to the Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) was also planned for the IPEMC.
Happening Now:
— Ministry of Federal Education/ProfessionalTraining (@EduMinistry) September 7, 2020
Federal Minister @Shafqat_Mahmood presides Inter provincial Education Ministerial to discuss #ReopeningOfSchools, Dr Faisal Sultan,SAPM on health is present in the meeting @fslsltn
Provincial ministers for education & HEC are attending the meeting #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/f0OKSHdJNx
In this regard, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said all educational institutes were to open between September 15 and 30.
All classes starting Grade 9 and up, as well as all universities, would reopen from Sept 15, while Grade 6-8 classes would resume by Sept 22, Ghani said, adding, however, that pre-primary and primary classes would reopen on Sept 30.
The provincial minister warned that the schools in any area that may witness a rise in the number of coronavirus cases would be closed.
Wearing face masks would be mandatory in the schools and strict action was to be taken in case of violation of the coronavirus-related SOPs, he added.
Moreover, Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas said there would be "no double shift".
ANNOUNCEMENT:
— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) September 7, 2020
All Public & Private Schools of Punjab to open on following schedule. Classes 9-12 to start on 15th. Classes 6-8 to start Sept 22nd. Classes Nursury-5 to start on 30th. No Double Shift. Alternative Day Schedule to be followed by all Public & Private Schools.
"Alternative day schedule to be followed by all public & private schools," Raas said on Twitter.
Separately, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial education department has decided to conduct coronavirus tests on school staff and students.
پشاور:محکمہ تعلیم خیبر پختونخوا نے اسکول عملے اور طلبا کا کرونا ٹیسٹ کرانے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے
— PTI KP (Official) (@PTIKPOfficial) September 7, 2020
تفصیلات کے مطابق محکمہ تعلیم کے پی نے اسکول عملے اور طلبا کا رینڈم کرونا ٹیسٹ کرانےکا فیصلہ کر لیا۔محکمہ تعلیم خیبرپختونخوا نے تمام اسکولوں کے سربراہان کو فیصلے سے آگاہ کر دیا#KPKUpdates pic.twitter.com/WhlVldhKlZ
Working within the premises of educational institutions in an effort to detect COVID-19 positive cases and prevent the spread of disease," a notification shared on the Twitter account of the ruling PTI's KP chapter stated.
'Top-down, rotational' basis
On August 27, the NCOC had suggested that all educational institutes in the country be reopened with a top-to-bottom approach — that is, universities first, then colleges, high schools, and so on) — and on a rotational basis.
The meeting was attended by representatives of various educational institutes — including public and private sector institutes, as well as madrassas — to reach a consensus on the opening of various institutes from university to school levels.
According to a statement released by the NCOC after the meeting, it was suggested that the timings of various institutes be reduced by suspending various activities, which involve mass gatherings, including co-curricular activities.
They were also informed about the risks and challenges involved in the opening of educational institutes as it involved children of all ages.
The education sector representatives were told that The Nakok proposal was finalized after a busy and long consultation with international experts, educational institutions and think tanks, especially those working on reopening the education sector.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aide on health, Dr. Sultan, told participants that while the eventual opening would be undertaken after a consultative process, the NCOC and the health ministry would closely monitor disease statistics on a daily basis.
The likely impact of tourism and Muharram on the opening of educational institutes would also be assessed, he added, noting that an IT-based monitoring mechanism was being developed to ensure health guidelines and COVID-19 containment measures in this regard.
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