9th to 12th classes to start out from Jan 18; primary schools to reopen from Feb 1

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood. File photo

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in sight the rise in coronavirus cases, the federal has decided to postpone the reopening of primary schools for every week while classes from 9th to 12th will start from January 18 as announced earlier.

A high-level meeting was held today at the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) to review the newest situation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, after holding a gathering with all the provincial ministers and health officials, said the coronavirus positivity rate remains high within the country that's why the reopening of primary schools are delayed for every week .

The minister said education institutes will resume in-person learning from Feb 1.

“Everyone cares about the loss of education during the previous lockdown but we've to strike a balance so on make sure the safety of scholars ,” Mehmood said.

Mehmood during a tweet on Thursday said: "While I desperately want education to continue, the ultimate decision are going to be on health grounds. Students' well being will always be a priority."

On January 4, he had said that the govt will make no compromise on children's health and another meeting are going to be held to review the newest coronavirus situation within the country.

The federal had earlier announced a phase-wise decide to reopen educational institutes from January 18 which were closed on November 26 to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has assured the oldsters that it'll ensure strict compliance of COVID-19 SOPs in schools.

More to follow...