Islamabad (Web Desk): Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood on Wednesday said that the government has decided to keep educational institutions across the country open except for Sindh.
The education minister announced this in a news conference following a meeting of Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC).
All the provincial education ministers, relevant senior officials, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan attend the meeting.
The participants of the meeting discussed the start of the new academic session, reopening of schools in light of the current COVID-19 situation, and vaccination of schoolteachers and other staff members.
Shafqat said that all educational institutions would be allowed to open with 50% attendance adding that examinations will continue as scheduled.
He said that Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani had informed the IPEMC the province would review the COVID-19 situation before August 8 and decide the next course of action for reopening schools and conducting examinations.
The minister said all the examinations would continue according to schedule, while there will be changes in Sindh's timetable.
"The exams of classes 9, 10, 11, and 12 will take place in accordance with their date sheet."
“Similarly transport employees involved with educational institutions are also needed to be vaccinated by Aug 31,” he said.
The next meeting of the education ministry with NCOC will be held on Aug 25.
“We will again review the health situation in view of COVID-19, Shafqat Mahmood said."
Last week, the government decided not to extend school summer vacation and said all schools would reopen on August 2. It was decided that the examinations for the grade 9 and 10 would be held as per schedule.
However in Sindh, all exams were suspended after the lockdown was imposed in the province on July 31.
The education department will now announce new dates after the restrictions are lifted.
