Reopening of educational institutions by first week of July: Government in consultations with provinces to finalise roadmap

ISLAMABAD: The federal government in consultations with the provinces will finalise a roadmap for re-opening of educational institutes in the country by first week of July, as around 70 percent parents agree to send their children to educational institutes under standard operating procedures (SOPs). This was revealed in a high-level meeting on the issue of opening schools under SOPs chaired by Federal Minister for Education and Vocational Training Shafqat Mahmood here on Monday. It was decided to finalise a roadmap for re-opening of educational institutes by first week of July, 2020. "Consultations with provincial governments and other stakeholders are underway to prepare a roadmap for safe reopening of educational institutes in the country, and are hopeful to reach a decision soon," said the ministry's spokesperson.

The federal government in consultations with provinces is preparing a roadmap for re-opening of educational institutes in the country, keeping in view all aspects of safety, which would be finalised by first week of next month, he added. The minister informed the participants that the government was seriously considering the issue of opening schools under SOPs.

In this regard, suggestions have been sought from all provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, madrassas, and private institutions. He further stated that a meeting had also been scheduled with the Ministry of Health on this issue, and the data of National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) would also be taken into consideration and analyse the trends of decline or increase in coronavirus cases as per the data of the NCOC.

The federal minister said that the ministry is also in touch with UNICEF on the issue of opening schools so that the internationally developed and developing countries which are opening schools under SOPs are also taken into consideration and the strategy of government of Pakistan for reopening of schools.