Private schools demand resumption of on-campus classes

Say educational activities must continue with SOPs to save students’ future

All Sindh Private Schools and Colleges Association Chairperson Haider Ali has demanded of Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani to announce the start of the new academic year in the province from August 9 and resume on-campus classes with strict adherence to coronavirus-mandated standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He suggested educational institutes be allowed to operate with 50 per cent attendance.

Haider Ali insisted that the new semester should resume at private schools and universities across Sindh from August 9.

"Educational activities must continue in the presence of Covid-19. The future of university students is in jeopardy due to the loss of two years. For the third year in a row, an unimaginable loss of academic ability cannot be tolerated," he said.

The chairperson cited official figures and said 70 to 80 per cent of education staff have been vaccinated. He added that the future of more than 10.5 million students of Sindh is at stake due to repeated closures of educational institutions.

"The schedule of classes IX and X practical examinations should be issued. The schedule of remaining intermediate papers and practical examinations should also be issued immediately for Sindh."

He urged the federal and provincial governments to immediately announce a simple and workable loan scheme for private educational institutions.

"At least 30 per cent of the children in schools have dropped out. There is an urgent need to bring back the children who were dropping out of school and those out of school back to school," he asserted.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2021.