Provinces oppose closure of schools in IPEMC meeting

The session under the chair of Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has failed to reach a decision regarding the early and extended winter vacations in the educational institutions.

It is pertinent to mention here that the IPEMC will again meet on November 23 to again review the situation of coronavirus.

The provincial ministers apprised the forum about the latest coronavirus situation and the impact on the education sector in their regions but no final decision was taken about the vacations and closure of schools.

Apart from the education ministers, the meeting was also attended by officials of health ministries and the National Command and Operations Centre.

On the occasion, Shafqat Mahmood said that the final decision on winter vacations and school closures will be made on November 23. "The recommendations will be presented to the NCC today," he added.

Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that no decision has been taken regarding immediate closure of schools.

Raja Yasir Humayun said that educational institutions will not be closed.

Earlier, following the alarming surge in number of coronavirus cases in the educational institutions an emergency meeting of Inter Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) was summoned today.