Conference for final decision on re-opening of Universities postponed

The Inter-provincial conference for the re-opening of educational institutions scheduled for July 2 is postponed to July 7 due to the death of the mother of Education Minister, Shafqat Mehmood.

The Inter-Provincial Education Minister Conference was scheduled for July 2 2020, wherein recommendations for further closure or opening of institutions will be formulated before presentation at the NCC forum.

The Ministry of Federal Education is conducting an internal exercise to firm up the proposals for the potential opening of an educational institution as a possible option.

According to a notification issued by the federal ministry last week, a request was made to the educational institutions to draw up plans for the potential reopening of educational institutions in their jurisdiction.

“The proposal should include a tentative date, detailed plans for opening (i.e., whether complete opening, staggering opening, alternate days, etc.) as well as detailed SOPs to be followed to protect the students and the staff from COVID-19”, stated the notification.

It is pertinent to mention that the Education Minister, Shafqat Mehmood, sent an instruction to HEC to formulate a plan for reopening universities this week.

According to reports, the universities would reopen on July 15 for the necessary safety measures of cleaning and disinfecting the campus spaces. On August 3 the institutes would open for proper educational activities.

However, the final decision regarding the reopening of educational institutions will be now be announced on July 7 in an Inter-Provincial Education Minister Conference.