All Education Institutions To Close From Nov 26

Federal Minister for Education Dr. Shafqat Mahmood on Monday announced that the schools around the country will be closed down from November 26 onwards keeping in view the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

The announcement comes at a time as the country struggles to contain the rising number of Covid-19 infections during the second wave of the pandemic.

The minister said that in the meantime, the schools will continue to home teach students who will have to attend all of the classes virtually from November 26 to December 24.

“From December 25 till January 10, 2021, there will be winter vacations. Then from January 11, if the situation improves, we hope we can once again open all educational institutions,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said that all relevant departments will review the situation again in January to take stock of the Covid-19 spread in the country and a final decision will be made accordingly.

“God willing, educational institutions will reopen from January 11,” the minister said.

The schools will continue to teach students through the video link and as per the details, the number of days will be increased from five to six in order to allow teachers to complete the syllabus for the current academic year.

“Where possible, homework will be given out online. Where this is not possible, the provincial governments will decide the course of action. But all efforts will be made to make sure that education continues from home,” said the Education Minister Mahmood.

The minister further said that the federal ministry is also proposing board exams that were scheduled for March or April, be pushed forward till May and June. This is because when educational institutions will reopen, students will get time to complete their course work.

Further, we have also recommended that the new academic year — which begins in April at government schools — be postponed till August and summer vacations are reduced, he concluded.