Staff Reporter
Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that the inter-provincial education ministers’ conference on Monday could not make any decision on winter holidays or closure of schools in Punjab.
“The issue has been deferred to the next meeting, which will be held on Monday 23rd November, 2020 to further review of the Covid 19 situation. All options are being discussed. No immediate decision for now.” In a tweet after the conference, Murad Raas said that the inter-provincial education ministers’ conference could not reach a final decision regarding winter holidays or school closures amid spike in Corona second wave.
He said a proposal to extend the winter holidays from November to January has been considered but no final decision has been taken.
It is to be noted that Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said that lives of children and teachers are most important to government and recommendations for winter holidays will be presented in the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC).
During the briefing, the Secretary National Health Service also presented his recommendations to the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference. The provincial ministers briefed the forum on the situation in the education sector of their respective provinces.
The minister said that the authorities concerned were asked to come up with recommendations in consultation with respective health authorities prior to the meeting. Murad Raas expressed his hope that a final decision would be taken on November 23 regarding winter holidays and closure of schools.
According to media reports, the provincial education ministers’ conference proposed to close educational institutions from November 20 to January 31.
Earlier in the day, Special Assistant to Punjab Chief Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the government will not go for a complete lockdown. A micro-smart lockdown will be imposed in areas most affected by the virus.
In the last 24 hours, over 2,100 Covid-19 cases were reported across Pakistan. So far, 7,160 people have lost their lives to the virus. Health experts have warned that the country is battling a second wave.
Last month, the Federal Ministry of Education had announced that there won’t be any winter vacations this year. “Students have suffered a huge educational loss this year due to the coronavirus lockdown and they can’t afford vacations.”
The education ministers of all provinces agreed that markets and businesses should be closed first, not educational institutions.
The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association have appreciated the government’s decisions well.
