Pakistan announced to closed down all education institutions from November 26

 The education institutions will reopen on January 11 if the number of  COVID-19 cases declined

The Pakistani government announced to close down all the education institutions in the country from November 26. This decision was announced by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Monday November 23.  All the educational institutes will remain closed in the country from November 26 till January 10 due to rising number of coronavirus cases.

The federal education minister was addressing the press conference at the National Operations and Command Center (NCOC) along with SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan to brief about the decisions taken in the education minister’s meeting. The education ministers of four provinces, GB and Azad Kashmir met to decide the closer of the education institutions. 

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The decisions

Nov 26 — All students to start studying from home

Dec 24 — Last day of online classes

Dec 25 to Jan 10, 2021 — Winter holidays

Jan 11 — Schools to resume activities after reevaluation of the situation in the first week of January

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“We analysed the coronavirus situation in all provinces and concluded that keeping stern action has to be taken to stem the spread of virus,” Dr Faisal Sultan said. The SAPM on Health added that the situation is deteriorating in the country day-by-day and the positivity ratio has reached 7.4%.

"All ministers have mutually decided that to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuition centres closed. However, online classes will continue from November 26 to December 24 after which winter break will start. Schools will reopen on January 11, 2021," Shafqat Mahmood said. Federal education minister further said   that children's health and safety is the top-most priority of the government. 

Earlier, an important meeting was held at the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to review the latest COVID-19 situation and decide about the closure of schools and early winter vacations in light of the rising infections among students and their teachers.

Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar chaired the session at the NCOC also attended by SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan and Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood.

The participants will be briefed by the national health services ministry and NCOC about the pandemic-related situation in the country.

The NCOC was apprised that the positivity ratio in educational institutions has increased from 1.8% to 3.3% during the last one week which is actually 82% increase.

The forum deliberated in length for decisions about educational institutions.

After the NCOC meeting, the education ministers met and discussed the recommendations.