Educational institutions reopen after 8 months
A school staffer checks the temperature of a student. Schools were reopened by the government on Tuesday after the number of Covid-19 cases declined in the province. PHOTO: AFP
The Balochistan government reopened educational institutions throughout the province after eight months on Tuesday.
It is pertinent to note that all educational institutions were closed following the coronavirus outbreak in the country earlier this year in March.
Even though social distancing was adopted in schools located in the heart of the city but still attendance was low on the first day. All the students in the school were wearing masks and adopted social-distancing in their classes. The school administration was also seen providing masks to students and school staff.
In the first phase, universities, colleges and senior sections of high schools have been reopened. The attendance of students appeared to be low in universities and colleges too even though special precautionary arrangements had been made.
“The government has decided to reopen all educational institutions phase-wise”, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind, the Balochistan education minister told reporters on Tuesday. He visited Sandeman High School Quetta and met students and teachers. Officials from UNICEF and members of civil society were also present on the occasion.
“Under a smart course, we would complete classes within two months,” Naseer Shah, the Principal of the Sandeman High School said. “We will try to complete all the courses within this period of time.”
The number of educational institutions including universities, colleges, and schools is over 16,000 in Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2020.