Schools in Punjab may remain closed for extended period

 Schools in Punjab may remain closed for extended period

Schools across the country will remain closed until January 10, 2021, within the wake of the rising coronavirus cases. Photo: File

Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas on Tuesday hinted that schools across the province could also be closed for an extended period of your time . 

This was said by the minister while he was addressing a ceremony on the teachers retirement system in Lahore. 

"I want to open schools," he said. "However, we may need to accompany the choice of extending the closure of faculties , given the present circumstances," added the minister.

Raas said that personally he wasn't in favour of closing schools, adding that the pandemic had wreaked havoc on children's education. "A joint meeting of all education ministers will happen on January 4 where the choice to increase schools closure or not are going to be taken," he added.

The minister said that the provincial government suspended examinations for grade V consistent with the assessment policy. "When it came to the exams of fifth graders, teachers were helping students cheat," he said, explaining the Punjab government's decision.

The minister said that the Private Schools Act are going to be sent to the cupboard for approval. He said that the legislation will get the government's nod within three months.

Raas said that non-public schools can now get registered with the provincial government online, adding that 31,000 private schools had done an equivalent .

Speaking more about Punjab government's measures for education within the province, he said that a "Child Education Book" had been launched which met international standards in quality of education.

He told participants of the gathering that from next year, teachers' retirement cheques are going to be deposited directly into their accounts.

Coronavirus in Pakistan: Schools will remain closed until January 10, 2021

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood had announced earlier that schools across the country will remain closed until January 10, 2021, within the wake of the rising coronavirus cases.

"All ministers have mutually decided that to stay 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," Shafqat Mahmood had said.

The decision was taken during the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) convened last month to debate school closures.

Shafqat Mahmood had said that children's health and safety is that the top-most priority of the govt , adding that examinations scheduled to require place in December are going to be postponed, with the exception of a couple of professional exams.

During the meeting, it had been decided that micro-decisions regarding examinations and other matters are going to be taken by the respective province.