NCOC discusses opening of educational institutions

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) in its meeting on Thursday discussed the opening of the educational institutions across the country, following significant decline in the coronavirus pandemic, a handout said.

The NCOC meeting had a single point agenda, the opening of educational institutions across Pakistan and to take all stakeholders on board, and reach consensus-based decisions for the opening of the institutions from university to school level.

Representatives of educational institutions including pubilc, private and madaris were invited to the meeting, the official statement said. All provincial, Azad Jammu and Kahsmir (AJK) and Filgit-Baltistan (G-B) focal representatives joined the meeting through video link, it added.

The participants were apprised of the present Covid situation at the global and regional levels and Pakistan’s own Covid curve. The participants were also informed about the risks and challenges involved after the opening of educational institutions as it involved children of all ages.

These challenges were mapped after hectic and lengthy consultations with international experts, academia and think tanks, particularly those working on educational sector opening, the participants heard.

“The basic challenge to open educational institutions is two areas: what are indicators for opening and what measures are taken to ensure implementation of that health guidelines, ensuring use of face mask, social distancing and hygiene measures,” Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood said.

The NCOC was informed that the final decision on this matter would be taken on September 7 after consensus and inputs from all stakeholders. It was emphasised that educational institutions must ensure all Covid protocols and prepare accordingly before the final decision.

The NCOC suggested strategy to the participants about gradual opening of the institutions based on the best practices and input from various experts. It was proposed that educational institutions would be opened on a top-to-bottom approach – university, college, high schools etc, on a rotation basis.

The meeting heard that timings of the institutions would be staggered by suspending various activities, which involved mass gatherings, including co-curricular activities. The participants were informed that tracking, tracing and testing would help arrest any spread.

During the meeting, the provinces, AJK and G-B officials informed the forum about the measures being taken in their respective areas, including consultations with various educational institutions, teachers training and Covid awareness.

“The NCOC and the ministry of health will intimately monitor the disease statistics on a daily basis, particularly to assess the likely impact of tourism and Muharram on the opening of educational institutions,” said Dr Faisal Sultan, the special assistant to prime minister on health.

Representatives from various institutions gave their inputs on school-opening measures and assured the forum about the compliance of health guidelines, particularly wearing of face mask, social distancing and hand washing protocols.