The possibility of closure of educational institutions has been brushed aside by the Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood, even though COVID-19 positive cases are surging.
On Tuesday, the Federal Education Shafqat Mahmood has put down the rumors of the possibility that educational institutions would be closed immediately for the second time due to the resurgence of Covid-19. He said that the current condition is under control as per the data and reports from the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) and no closure for institutions would be suitable now.
Read more: HEC Rejects News of Closure of Universities Across Pakistan
He further said that all country’s education ministers will have a virtual meeting today on Wednesday. Every minister would discuss and share updates on coronavirus and the need to implement a standard operating procedure to curb the spread of the disease in their provinces.
“So far, there is no such proposal under the consideration of the health ministry,” he said.
“We will get updates in the meeting, but it does not mean we are going to close institutions,” he said, adding that the federal and provincial education ministries cannot decide on the matter of the closure of educational institutions on their own, and instead receive input from the NHS ministry.
According to officials from the Ministry for Federal Education, the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) meeting will be chaired by Mr. Mehmood. The meeting will discuss updates on the Covid-19 situation and decisions on winter holidays in educational institutions will be discussed.
Moreover, Mr. Mehmood further told the reporter that in Pakistan, the academic year begins in August in private sectors while public sectors begin their session in April, and in actual, the academic year begins in August around the world.
“In the meeting, we will discuss this issue and will explore options to start the academic year in August in all public and private institutions.” he said.
However, all issues regarding the education sector would be discussed and would be conveyed soon right after the meeting.
Image source
