Govt decides not to close educational institutes despite Covid uptick

Shafqat Mahmood says educational institutions in Sindh to remain closed till August 8

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced on Wednesday that the government has decided to keep the educational institutions open except for Sindh despite the rising number of coronavirus cases throughout the country.

The announcement was made in a news conference following a meeting of the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) presided over by Shafqat in Islamabad. Implementation of coronavirus standard operation procedures (SOPs) and various other options were discussed in the meeting.

"The government has decided to keep the educational institutions open with strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs," the education minister said.

He said that all government and private schools will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity. "It is important that we look after the educational activities of our children as well as we do not know how long the pandemic is going to last," he added.

Shafqat Mahmood said that the educational institutions in Sindh however would remain closed till August 8.

'Exams as per schedule'

He said that examinations would also be conducted throughout the country as per schedule except for Sindh, saying that 5% grace mark will be given to the students.

Shafqat said that the federal government has asked all provinces to get all teachers, students and other staff of the universities to get vaccinated, adding that it will be made mandatory after August 31.

He further said the situation will be reviewed further during another meeting of IPEMC, scheduled for August 25.

The fourth wave of coronavirus pandemic — fuelled by the deadlier and more contagious Delta variant — continues to wreak havoc throughout the country particularly in Sindh.

Pakistan's tally for confirmed coronavirus cases soared to 1,047,999 after the country recorded a fresh 4,722 cases of the infection on Tuesday.