Education Minister surprised at the 'negative' reaction of students

Education Minister surprised at the 'negative' reaction of students

The federal Education Minister, Shafqat Mahmood said Tuesday that the negative reaction of students on the reopening of educational institutes is nothing less than a surprise for him.

Addressing students, the education minister expressed his grievance for their negative reaction to the final decision to reopen educational institutes from January 18.

“It surprises me when I see the negative reaction of some students to school/college/Universities reopening,” said Mahmood in a Tweet. He said that “Education is a gateway to the future. Education years are also the best time in one’s life. Everyone should welcome the opportunity to study and be among friends,” While emphasizing the importance of Education, he added.

On Monday, after the Inter-Provincial Education Minister meeting, the education minister had announced the schedule for the phase-wise reopening of educational institutions. The minister had said that the decision had been made carefully considering the health situation and “it was decided that classes appearing for the board and Cambridge exam that is grades 9, 10, 11, 12, O and A Levels will open on January 18,” he said in a tweet. “Classes pre-school to 8 will reopen on January 25,” he added.

The minister also announced that all higher education institutions/ universities would reopen on February 1. “However, online classes will start for them on January 11. Similarly, all schools will reopen on January 11 for Administrators and teachers to prepare for the arrival of students,” he added.

While emphasizing the need for examinations in 2021, the minister said that all Board exams had been postponed to May June. “Let me emphasize that this year nobody will be promoted without exams,” he stressed.

After Mahmood’s tweet, many students and social media users showed discontent with government decisions on reopening educational institutes and called it irrational.

“I guess the education ministry succumbed to the pressure of the private schools association. Otherwise, there is no rationale behind opening schools right now, at least not in January, “the current 2nd wave is way more contagious and dangerous than the previous,” he said.

While replying to the minister’s tweet, another user said that the decision would have been different if health conditions were considered. “Covid variant cases have already been emerged in Pakistan; knowing the spike in Covid cases, how can this risky decision be taken?” he asked.

Talking about the Standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Coronavirus, a Twitter user said that many schoolchildren travel in school vans where the implementation of SOPs is not possible. “Children can easily carry the virus home, and elderlies and parents are likely to get the virus through children,” he said in a tweet. He also recommended that school closure should be extended till February.

Many students also complained that since they have taken classes online, it is unfair to conduct physical exams. They stressed that online classes last year were nothing but a farce, and they learned nothing out of it. Expecting good performance from students in the given circumstances is unfair, they said.