Islamabad (Web Desk): The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Thursday recommended that all educational institutes across the country should be reopened gradually (i.e universities first, then colleges, then high schools and so on) and on a rotational basis.
According to a statement issued after the NCOC meeting, it has been suggested that the timings of various institutions should be reduced by suspending various activities which involve mass gatherings, including co-curricular activities.
All participants were briefed on the current coronavirus situation prevailing globally, regionally and in the country. They were also informed about the risks and challenges involved in the opening of educational institutions as it involved children of all ages.
The educational sector representatives were informed that the NCOC's suggestions had been finalised after hectic and lengthy consultations with international experts, academia and think tanks, particularly those who had been working on the reopening of the educational sector.
Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood told the meeting participants that the basic challenge to open educational institutions was founded on two questions: what are the indicators for opening, and what measures will be taken to ensure that health guidelines ensuring the use of face masks, social distancing and hygiene measures.
Mehmood said that the final decision to reopen schools would be taken on September 7 after agreement and input from all relevant stakeholders.
The meeting was attended by representatives of various educational institutions, including public and private sector institutions and madaris. All the provincial, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan focal representatives joined the meeting via a video link.
