Classes from Grade 1 to 8 to remain suspended in covid-hit districts

ISLAMABAD: Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood announced Tuesday that classes from 1 till 8 in all public and private schools would remain suspended in Covid-hit districts of the country till April 28.

The decision was announced after a meeting of the the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) attended by all the education and health ministers to decide further on closure or reopening of schools amid the worsening coronavirus situation in the country.

“It has been decided that physical classes will not be held from grades 1-8 till April 28 in districts affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Mehmood. “It must be borne in mind that not every district in Pakistan has been affected by coronavirus.”

Shafqat Mehmood says Cambridge has assured coronavirus SOPs will be followed strictly during exams
He said the education minister of Punjab had informed him that 13 districts across the province were affected by the coronavirus, hence on-campus classes will not be held there till April 28.

He said classes of grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be held under strict compliance of coronavirus SOPs from April 19 onwards, so that these students can complete their preparation for their upcoming exams.

“Universities in affected districts will also remain closed and classes will be held online,” he said, adding that in other districts, universities will remain open and function as normal.

All education and health ministers are unanimous in their decision to have the O and A level examinations proceed as scheduled, said Mehmood.

He said health and education ministers of all provinces had decided with consensus that O and A level exams should continue as per schedule.

Education/Health Ministers of Pakistan unanimously made following decisions at NCOC today: 1) In districts affected by corona classes from 1 till 8th will remain closed till 28th April. 2) In these districts classes 9th till 12th will resume in a staggered manner from April 19th

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

In the Education Ministers conference today it was also decided unanimously that all exams will take place. A/ AS and O level date sheets have already been announced. Classes 9 to 12 exam dates will be announced by respective boards but will be after Eid

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

Decisions regarding exams are final. Students should start preparing and working hard. This decision will not be changed so no one should have any uncertainty in their mind. Everything has been done keeping interest of education in mind. My very best wishes to everyone

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT No. 1
All Public & Private schools Classes 1-8 to remain closed until Eid in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Multan, Bhawalpur, Sialkot, Sargoda, Faisalabad, TT Singh, RYK, DG Khan and Sheikupura. Decision to be reviewed in 2 weeks.

— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) April 6, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT No. 2
All Public & Private Schools classes 9-12 will be open only Monday & Thursday starting April 19th, 2021 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Sargoda, Faisalabad, TT Singh, RYK, Sheikhupura and DG Khan.

— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) April 6, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT No. 3
All Examinations for Classes 9 through 12 and O/A Levels will be conducted as per schedule in Punjab.

— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) April 6, 2021