Govt decides to resume Classes 1-8 on Feb 1 instead of Jan 25

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood announced on Friday that classes one to eight will resume from Feb 1 instead of Jan 25.

Briefing media persons about the decisions taken at the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) after chairing a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation, the minister informed that classes nine to 12 and universities will resume on Jan 18 (Monday) and Feb 1, respectively, as per previous decision.

Ahead of phase-wise reopening of educational institutions from next week, Shafqat Mehmood said that matric and intermediate classes will resume on January 18 and all higher education institutions including colleges and universities will reopen from February 1 as per the previous schedule.

He , however, said the closure of class one to eight has been extended for a week. He said these classes will now resume from the 1st of next month as against the earlier decision of January 25. He said the institutions of higher education will also reopen from the 1st of next month.

The education minister said it has also been decided that the NCOC will review the coronavirus situation next week and adopt a smart approach under which there is a possibility to keep the schools shut in those cities where the infection rate is comparatively high.

Shafqat Mahmood said it has also been decided that the students will not be promoted to the next class without examination.

He further said the COVID-19 has badly affected the education of our children over the last eight to nine months. He said we have tried to create a balance ensuring that the education activities continue whilst protecting the health of children.