(Karachi) Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani has said that all educational institutions in the province will reopen from September 28, media reported on Friday.

Addressing a press briefing in Karachi, the minister said that students of pre-primary, primary and middle classes could attend schools from Monday.

He maintained that the decision has been taken in wake of improving coronavirus situation in the country. Ghani highlighted that it is necessary to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as the COVID-19 pandemic isn't over yet.

He urged the parents to ensure their children attend schools following all precautionary measures. "It is advisable that parents should pick and drop children themselves as part of safety practice to curb spread of coronavirus."

The education minister stated that educational institutions have been instructed to strictly follow COVID-19 guidelines. "We have asked the school administrations to hold classes in phases. They could call half of the students on one day and the others the following day," he said.

Ghani stressed the importance of social distancing and said that schools not following the instructions will be fined or even sealed. “I will be making surprise visits to both public and private schools to oversee the situation.”

He added that parents will still have the option of sending the children to school. “If they feel unsafe, then they can continue with the online classes. Nothing comes before the health of our children.”

On September 19, Ghani had said that the provincial government decided to not reopen schools in the province as the coronavirus situation was scary. However, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood was adamant that the decision to reopen middle schools on September 21 would be implemented.

On Tuesday, a statement issued by Sindh Education Department stated that all public and private middle schools across the province would resume classes on September 28. The statement added the decision to postpone their reopening for a week was taken on the basis of a significant number of teachers and non-teaching staff members testing positive for the virus.