Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Friday asked the provinces to ensure health guidelines and standard operating procedures are followed at schools and other educational institutions. They suggested increased contact tracing and quarantining of affected people.
The National Command and Operation Center meeting presided by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar via video link discussed preparations for opening of schools including hand washing arrangements, update on sentinel testing and micro smart lockdowns and update on educational institutions’ planned testing.
Meanwhile, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood tweeted on Friday that some fake social media accounts in his name are peddling false news claiming that schools will remain shut until Oct.
“Not true. Education ministers meet on 7th to finally decide [on reopening of educational institutions] with likelihood of opening on Sept 15 in a phased manner,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani on Friday laid out recommendations for reopening of educational institutions from September 15.
In an effort to overcome the educational loss of students due to Covid-19 pandemic, the federal government on Friday decided to end winter vacations for educational institutions this year. Summer vacations will not be observed this year in all the federal government-run educational institutions and private schools. The federal government also increased working days to six for the schools. Special classes will be conducted on every Saturday.
