Decision on reopening schools expected today

Education minister says masks will be mandatory

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood Sunday said that the government plans to implement a uniform syllabus system at the primary education level from the next academic year.

Talking to a private television channel, the education minister clarified that the national or mother language can be used for imparting primary education while English will be taught as a subject from Class I to V.

Mahmood said that the main objective of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was to implement a uniform system of education in all parts of the country and that no one had ever perceived such a plan for the young children of this country.

Apart from revamping the education at the primary level, Mehmood said the government will provide technical education to students of matriculation to enable them to take up a vocation.

He added that modern skills training for teachers is also under consideration.

Islamabad High Court dismisses plea for reopening schools

Replying to a question, the minister said that a meeting will be held on Monday (today) where provincial education ministers will sit together with the federal government and take a final decision on reopening educational institutions. A final decision on the matter will be taken after the conference, he said.

The minister further said that standard operating procedure (SOPs) to prevent the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) from spreading will be implemented in letter and spirit once schools do reopen. This will include mandatory wearing of masks for all students, adding that they will try as much as possible to ensure social distancing amongst students. He said in the first phase, universities and higher classes will also reopen and if the intensity of pandemic remains low, then primary classes can also be opened.

Anyone found defying the SOPs will be treated as per the law. Replying to another query, he said Etihad Tanzeemul Madaris had signed an agreement with the government on teaching the proposed syllabus of the government in seminaries.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2020.