Primary, middle schools to stay shut until 28th

ISLAMABAD – Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday announced that classes 1 to 8 will remain closed in the covid hotspots until April 28th.

However, he said that classes for grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be allowed to resume from April 19 so that students can finish the curriculum and be prepared for their exams.

Addressing media following the meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) here in Islamabad, Shafqat Mahmood said that classes for grades 1 to 8 will remain suspended till April 28th.

He said that these classes could take place online but there will be no physical presence during the sessions.

Explaining the much-awaited decisions regarding opening of schools after the meeting which reviewed the situation, the federal Education Minister said that classes for grades 9 to 12 will begin from April 19 in a staggered manner.

He said that classes from 9 to 12 will continue to take place as usual, with strict adherence to the precautionary SOPs. He said all the board exams will take place and the local boards will hold exams after May 24.

He said that A and O Level exams will go ahead as planned; from May 10. He said the universities have been asked to push back entrance exams.

The Minister further said that board exams for classes 9, 10 and 11 will be held from the third week of May.

Meanwhile, Cambridge exams will be held as per schedule, he added.

He told media that it is the prerogative of the provinces to decide as to which of their districts are the most-affected and require strict measures.

The Minister said that the Punjab Education Minister informed the meeting that 13 districts that have been affected.

“Therefore, in these 13 districts, classes for grade 1 to 8 will not require the physical presence of students,”Shafqat Mahmood added.

He said Sindh has already announced the closure of the classes in view of the situation. He said the NCOC will again review the situation on April 28 and take further decisions.

The Minister told the media that the meeting deliberated mainly on whether to open the educational institutions that are closed until April 11 and the schedule of the exams.

He also informed that the universities will be requested to postpone the admissions.

The meeting was attended by the Education and Health Ministers to deliberate about the reopening of the educational institutions.

In view of the third wave of coronavirus, on March 10, the government had ordered closure of all schools in Covid-19 hotspots for two weeks from March 15.

Commenting on the upcoming examinations, the Minister said approximately 4 million students across the country were scheduled to appear in the local board exams.

“It was decided that exams for grade 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be held, but because they are our own boards, these exams will be pushed to the third week of May,” he added.

He added that the date sheet announced by Punjab would also be revised so that the coronavirus situation is under control by the time exams begin and children have time to prepare.

All provinces and boards have given separate timetables.

But nothing will happen before May 24, he added.

Regarding A and O level examinations, the Minister said that approximately 85,000 students were scheduled to appear for these exams. “It was unanimously recommended to allow O and A Level exams to go forward as planned. This is because these concern a significantly smaller number of students,” he said and added that Cambridge International had assured the government of ensuring the implementation of the SOPs.

The Minister made it clear that the government’s top priority was the children’s future.

He said last year students for grade 9, 10 and 11 were passed on the grade for the previous year and this time “We don’t even have that. So it is important to give the exams.”

In a tweet shortly after the Press conference, the Minister reiterated his advice to the students and urged them to start preparing and working hard.

“Decisions regarding exams are final. This decision will not be changed so no one should have any uncertainty in their mind. Everything has been done keeping the interest of education in mind. My very best wishes to everyone,” he said.