Educational institutions will reopen on Sept 15: moot

A education ministers conference on Wednesday reiterated that educational institutions across the country would reopen on September 15, putting at rest rumours of early openings.

Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood presiding over the inter-provincial education ministers’ conference via video link, during which the huddle sought suggestions from the province for making a uniform curriculum.

The moot deliberated on the decision to open educational institutions in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, which has so far infected over 280,000 people as per The Express Tribune tally. However, the country has witnessed decreased number of cases in the past week that government attribute to its smart lockdown strategy and anti-virus measures.

The top huddle also reviewed the measures for online education.

According to sources, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government – led by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf – has proposed to open educational institutions from September 1. However, other provinces opposed the idea of opening schools on September 15.

The conference upheld its decision, saying that educational institutions across the country would reopen on September 15. However, the situation will be reviewed again at the conference on September 7.

The meeting also discussed consultations on a uniform curriculum across the country and a preliminary draft. The conference approved the uniform curriculum in principle and directed the provinces to be informed of the proposals.

The National Curriculum Council would prepare model box on uniform curriculum in which provinces could add at will.