Skeleton staff returns to K-P schools today

The provincial education department on Wednesday announced to reopen all private and public sector schools in the province from today (Thursday). However, only some staff will be allowed to return under strict anti-pandemic guidelines.

This decision was taken in light of directives from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Cabinet.

The K-P Elementary and Secondary Education Department (ESED), in a notification on Wednesday, stated that only five teachers, including men and women, will be allowed to perform their duties at each primary school. It further said that a staff of seven will be allowed for middle schools and 10 staffers for high and higher secondary schools will be allowed.

The notification further stated that of the total staff of the school, a maximum of 30 per cent will be allowed to perform their duties at their respective schools. Any government or private school which fails to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the virus will be closed.

Last month, the federal government had announced that all schools in the country will reopen from September 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2020.