The Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Monday said that all schools across the country will remain closed until January 10, 2021, in the wake of the rising coronavirus cases in the country.
Nov 26 — All students to start studying from home
Dec 24 — Last day of online classes
Dec 25 to Jan 10, 2021 — Winter holidays
Jan 11 — Schools to resume activities after reevaluation of the situation in the first week of January
“All ministers have mutually decided that to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuition centres closed. However, online classes will continue from November 26 to December 24 after which winter break will start. Schools will reopen on January 11, 2021,” Minister Shafqat Mahmood said.
The decision has been made during the ongoing Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) convened to discuss school closures.
Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that children’s health and safety is the top-most priority of the government, adding that examinations scheduled to take place in December will be postponed, with the exception of a few professional exams.
During the meeting, it was decided that micro-decisions regarding examinations and other matters will be taken by the respective provinces.
Punjab schools will promote students based on their homework
During the meeting, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that schoolchildren in Punjab will be promoted to the next class based on their homework.
He also added that Punjab Board exams, which are held in March, will now be conducted in May and June 2021.
The minister also said that while schools will remain closed, teachers will have to go to schools twice a week, i.e. on Mondays and Thursdays.
Regarding the closure of schools, Murad Raas said that he is not in favour of closing schools.
“If schools are being closed to protect children, then parks, shopping malls, and other recreational places should also be closed as well,” he said.
