Classrooms welcome back students
Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood interacts with teachers and students at a school in Islamabad on the first day of the reopening of educational institutions. PHOTO: NNI
After six months of tele-schooling and online classes, teachers and some students found themselves face-to-face once again in the classrooms of the federal capital.
While students were happy to finally meet with their classmates after such an extended gap, teachers were quick to remind them of strictly observing prevention standard operating procedures (SOPs) against the virus including screenings at the gates, the continuous wearing of face masks, maintaining social distance and frequently washing their hands.
Schools, colleges and universities in the city had been shut for on-campus studies in March as part of precautionary measures against the fast-spreading novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Mahmood’s warning
Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday visited several public schools and colleges of Islamabad including Mohsin Murtaza Model School for Boys, G-6/4, and Islamabad College for Boys, G-6/3 and Islamabad Model School for Girls/Boys, Saidpur Village.
He formally welcomed the students in schools after ending six-month closure due to the pandemic.
The education minister said that the day they had all been waiting for impatiently had finally arrived. He felicitated the students, parents and teachers while saying that the nation has bravely fought the pandemic.
Noting that very few students had been allowed back, the minister assured them that this number will be increased gradually in the coming weeks.
The minister reviewed the precautionary measures adopted by the institutions and warned their management that if any lapse was observed, they will be closed after the first warning.
Apart from urging the educational institutions to implement SOPs to prevent the outbreak, he also asked parents to keep a check on children before sending them to schools.
“Everyone should wear a facemask,” the minister reiterated.
Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Education Wajiha Akram also visited schools in the federal capital to review arrangements, including Career Public School in Sector G-7.
Akram emphasised the importance of implementing the SOPs. She added that there should be no negligence in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2020.