KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Education Saeed Ghani on Friday has decided not to open the schools for sixth, seventh and eighth graders due to possible spread of Covid-19 as educational institutes have failed to follow the SOPs. Addressing the news conference at his office, Saeed Ghani said despite our efforts, lot of flaws and violations were witnessed after resumption of academic sessions in schools. He said students would be asked to rejoin school on September 28, subject to if the Covid-19 situation improves. Saeed said that govt would ensure strict adherence of SOPs to avoid spread of the virus. "Schools administrations should fulfil their responsibility as our purpose is not to shutdown schools permanently," minister said.

The minister said that the decision will be reviewed before September 28. "I will get in touch with the federal ministers and will request a meeting of the inter-provincial education ministers committee so that a uniform decision is taken across the country."

Saeed Ghani said that situation is much better in government schools although full precautions were not being taken.

The education minister said that between September 12 and 17, "14,544 tests were conducted out of which some 11,000 reports are still pending". He was referring to a question posed by a journalist asking about the 88 new cases of Covid-19 found in school teachers.

To a question of why the PPP chairman was "taking out rallies" at a time when the coronavirus situation is so precarious, Ghani's response was that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari simply visited flood-affected areas of the province.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020