Primary schools and varsities reopened across the country after nearly three months

Primary schools and universities reopened today (Monday) across the country after approximately three months as the country continues to fight and curb the spread coronavirus’s second wave.

Shafqat Mahmood, the Federal Education Minsiter took to Twitter on Sunday night wishing students the best.

Also Read: Public colleges report gush in coronavirus cases

Later, the minister said that any university that is not opening despite government’s directives should “reconsider”.

"Online lessons, however good, are no substitute for on campus classes," he added.

The minister was of the view that the on-campus interation between students and staff members "moulds social behaviour" and therefore, the varsities that are still not reopening "should reconsider".

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), after a mutual consent of all stakeholders, had announced that educational institutions shall recommence— at the primary, middle and university level — on February 1.

The center had decided that students in Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore and Peshawar would attend classes on alternate days in two groups. However, universities would resume classes as per their schedule.

Also Read: Punjab Govt announces reopening of schools and universities from February 1

The center had agreed that there was a significant uptick in the coronavirus cases after the educational institutes reopened worldwide. Therefore closing down the educational institutes would sojourn the contagion.

Pakistan reported 1,616 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, after which the total number of active cases stands at 33,493. 26 more deaths have been reported due to the virus during this time.