Tag: schools

  • Schools to be closed from Nov 26 as COVID-19 cases increase

    Schools to be closed from Nov 26 as COVID-19 cases increase

    Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced on Monday that all schools across the country will close down from November 26 to January 10, 2021, to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

    “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,” he said.

    “When we say all educational institutions will close on Nov 26 and students will home learn, we mean ALL institutions without exception,” clarified the minister later.

    As per reports, the decision was taken during the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) to discuss school closures, headed by Mahmood.

    He said that all examinations will be postponed, except for a few professional exams which will take place.

    The minister added that a “review session” will be organised during the first week of January to analyse the country’s virus outbreak and that a decision will be taken accordingly.

    As the country witnessed a surge in coronavirus cases, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) had suggested early and extended vacations.

    In recent weeks, the country’s COVID-19 cases and deaths have seen a sharp increase. The country has reported 376,929 coronavirus cases and 7,696 deaths so far.

  • ‘Radio Schools’ launched to facilitate distance learning amid COVID-19 pandemic

    ‘Radio Schools’ launched to facilitate distance learning amid COVID-19 pandemic

    The Federal Ministry for Education has launched a ‘radio school’ for distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

    Radio Pakistan Director General Ambreen Jan and additional secretary of the Education Ministry Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani signed the MoU documents during a special ceremony, where Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and senior relevant officials were also present.

    According to details, the educational programs will go on air on various medium waves and Radio Pakistan FM networks from 10 am to 12 noon. They will be repeated from 2pm to 4pm all through the week. These programmes can also be accessed through the internet and mobile app.

    Mahmood said the project was designed in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to take education to the people’s doorsteps in every corner of the country, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the government would also introduce an education portal soon.

    The minister said that approximately 8 million children benefited from the Teleschool launched by Education Ministry and PTV back in April.

     “Our government is providing education to students, especially the girls, at their doorsteps,” said Shafqat.

    The minister also shared that the government is aiming to launch an e-Education Portal soon through which the programmes of Teleschool and Radioschools can be accessed through one click.

  • Islamabad’s education officers asked to visit seven schools daily to monitor SOPs

    Islamabad’s education officers asked to visit seven schools daily to monitor SOPs

    With primary schools set to reopen today (Wednesday) in the twin cities in the third phase of educational institutions reopening after a long break due to coronavirus, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has instructed all area education officers to visit at least seven schools daily and ensure that health guidelines and standard operating procedure (SOP) are being followed strictly.

    As per reports, a total of 193 FDE-run primary schools in Islamabad will reopen.

    FDE officials said that a team of FDE directors and officers from the Ministry of Federal Education and the capital administration will also visit schools. They added that teams from the Private Educational Institution Regulatory Authority (Peira) will also visit primary schools.

    Officials further said that imposing social distancing would be more challenging in primary schools compared to high schools, colleges or universities, particularly with students in nursery to third grade, which is why teachers will have to put an extra effort.

    Islamabad-based educational institutions have reported more than 30 cases of COVID-19 out of around 15,000 tests.

    Minister for Federal Education Shafqat Mehmood said that the positivity rate is 0.8pc in educational institutions across the country.

    At a press conference in Islamabad, he said that out of 171,436 tests carried out in educational institutions – not including primary schools – 1,284 have come back positive for the virus.

    He said school administrations, teachers and parents must be more attentive from Wednesday, when primary schools reopen, because young children cannot follow SOPs and practice social distancing on their own.

  • NCOC closes 22 educational institutions in the last 48 hours for not following SOPs

    NCOC closes 22 educational institutions in the last 48 hours for not following SOPs

    The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has shut down around 22 educational institutions across the country for not following government-approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) and health protocols in the last 48 hours.

    “During the last 48 hours, 22 educational institutions across Pakistan have been closed due to non-compliance of health SOPs/protocols and disease prevalence,” read a statement by centre monitoring the pandemic.

    Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood had earlier shared the proper guidelines for reopening of educational institutions on Monday.

    Read more – COVID-19 cases increasing through hospitals in Islamabad

    As many as 16 educational institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), one in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and five in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have been closed, as per the NCOC media release.

    Educational institutions were reopened on Tuesday (September 15). Prime Minister Khan tweeted to welcome children back to school after a long break due to Covid-19.

  • Educational institute in Islamabad sealed after coronavirus cases emerge

    Educational institute in Islamabad sealed after coronavirus cases emerge

    An educational institute in Islamabad has been sealed after the emergence of the coronavirus cases, confirmed the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday.

    As per details, the institution was sealed after 16 coronavirus cases were reported. Meanwhile, contact tracing is currently underway to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

    Educational institutes across Pakistan have reopened today (Sept 15) after nearly a six-month-long break due to the pandemic.

    Earlier in the day, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood welcomed the students and advised them to follow all the SOPs (standard operating procedure) 

  • Educational institutions to re-open on Sept 15?

    Educational institutions to re-open on Sept 15?

    Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Monday chaired a meeting of provincial education ministers to make a final decision on whether to reopen educational institutes across the country from September 15, The News reported.

    According to reports, the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) chairperson and executive director, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, and officials of the health department were also present at the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC), which aimed to compile the final recommendations regarding the opening of educational institutes.

    The recommendations to resume educational activities would be sent to the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) for further deliberations among all the stakeholders.

    The meeting was set to also focus on finalising the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in this regard. Educational institutes across Pakistan had been shut down back on March 13 in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

    The Single National Curriculum (SNC), a short curriculum for the current academic year, examinations in 2021, and establishment of anti-harassment bodies in the provinces were also on the meeting’s agenda.

    A discussion on the transition plans related to the Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) was also planned for the IPEMC.

    In this regard, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said all educational institutes were to open between September 15 and 30.

    All classes starting Grade 9 and up, as well as all universities, would reopen from Sept 15, while Grade 6-8 classes would resume by Sept 22, Ghani said, adding, however, that pre-primary and primary classes would reopen on Sept 30.

    The provincial minister warned that the schools in any area that may witness a rise in the number of coronavirus cases would be closed.

    Wearing face masks would be mandatory in the schools and strict action was to be taken in case of violation of the coronavirus-related SOPs, he added.

    Moreover, Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas said there would be “no double shift”.

    “Alternative day schedule to be followed by all public & private schools,” Raas said on Twitter.

    Separately, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the provincial education department has decided to conduct coronary tests on school staff and students.

    “Health Department’s teams will be visiting public and private educational institutions to conduct random tests of teachers / staff / students / canteen vendors and all those persons who are working within the premises of educational institutions in an effort to detect COVID-19 positive cases and prevent the spread of disease,” a notification shared on the Twitter account of the ruling PTI’s KP chapter stated.

  • Private schools’ association demands reopening of schools from Aug 15

    Private schools’ association demands reopening of schools from Aug 15

    The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPSCA) has announced the reopening of private schools from August 15 across the country rejecting the Federal Government’s decision to reopen them in September.

    In a press conference, the association said that students had to go through an educational loss because schools have been shut down for the past six to eight months.

    The APPSCA president, Hidayat Khan, added that the virus has slowed down and that cases are also decreasing.

    He added that the association had tried to negotiate with the government but they did not listen. Khan warned that if the government does not listen to them, they will march to protest against the government. He also strongly criticised the federal government and called it incompetent.

    “We will open schools in line with the SOPs. Madrassas have been opened, and they have even conducted examinations,” he added.

  • Govt to reopen schools with strict COVID-19 SOPs: Shafqat Mahmood

    Govt to reopen schools with strict COVID-19 SOPs: Shafqat Mahmood

    Federal Education Minister on Monday said the government was considering reopening of schools under the implementation of COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

    Talking to the media after a meeting at the minister’s office, the minister said suggestions had been taken from the private schools and Madaris of all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Mahmood said a meeting had also been arranged with the Ministry of Health in this regard, and that the decision would be taken keeping in view the NCOC data. He said the education ministry also discussed with those countries that had opened schools under various SOPs through UNICEF.

    The minister said according to the Gallup Survey, around 70% of parents were willing to send their children to school under COVID-19 SOPs.

    “We want to end the uncertainty on the basic important issue like education,” he said.

    The minister hinted at holding a press conference on the issue to take parents into confidence after the preparation of a road map.

    While the Provincial Minister of Punjab for School Education took to Twitter and stated that there is no definite date announced for reopening of schools in the province.

  • Private schools association demands reopening of schools from June 1

    Private schools association demands reopening of schools from June 1

    The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) has demanded the government to reopen educational institutes in the country from June 1.

    As per reports, APPSF office-bearers, teachers and owners of school also took out rallies in various areas of Punjab to protest against shutting down the schools for too long.

    The protestors, who raised the slogan of “Education for All”, requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the army chief, the prime minister and the provincial authorities to open the schools on June 1 after issuing the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

    In Lahore, the people gathered outside the Civil Secretariat to protest against Punjab Minister for School Education Murad Raas. 

    “We are unable to pay the teachers,” the All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) President Kashif Mirza said at a press conference in Lahore. “We must be allowed to open schools from June 1.”

    He described the concept of online education as a “flopped project”.

    He further said the closure of schools till July 15 would result in the permanent closure of 50 percent of the private schools and around one million people would lose their jobs. He said even the worst-hit countries were letting educational institutions work.

    “We have formulated SOPs following international standards,” he said, suggesting the government to talk with them. He demanded that the government announce a relief package for private schools.

    Educational institutes in Pakistan have been closed since March. The measure was taken to curb the spread of coronavirus

    The number of reported coronavirus cases in Pakistan has gone to 66,457. The virus has claimed 1,395 lives in the country so far.

  • Buzdar govt tells schools to slash fees by 20pc, pay staff on time, not fire anyone

    Buzdar govt tells schools to slash fees by 20pc, pay staff on time, not fire anyone

    Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar has announced his administration’s decision to slash school fees across the province by 20% during the ongoing holidays to safeguard the masses from the global coronavirus pandemic that also continues to take a toll on Pakistan, especially Punjab.

    “All schools have also been instructed to collect fees on a monthly basis,” he tweeted adding that the schools had also been directed to pay the salary of all its staff and teachers on time, and barred from firing anyone.

    The provincial chief executive has reportedly made the announcement as part of government measures to shield the public from the economic impact of the lockdown enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Punjab government was extending the existing restrictions in the province till April 14.

    “Public is requested to follow the guidelines issued by the government and ensure that they don’t leave home unless necessary,” a government spokesperson said.

    https://twitter.com/MusarratCheema/status/1247038746937171968

    According to a notification, the lockdown is being extended due to a rise in the number of cases in the province, which is alarming and highly dangerous for the health of the people.

    “It is mandatory to take all pragmatic and possible measures to contain and counter the further spread of coronavirus on war footings,” the notification said.

    It further said that there were sufficient grounds to proceed under section 144 of “The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898”, as an immediate preventive and speedy remedy to ensure public safety, conserve lives and maintain peace and tranquillity in the province.

    Punjab has reported the highest number of confirmed cases in the country, 1,493 and 15 deaths.

    On March 23, CM Buzdar had announced a 14-day partial lockdown in the province to curb the spread of the virus.

    Following the announcement, parks and public places were ordered to remain close and pillion riding in the province was banned.