School winter break plan ready

ISLAMABAD:

With the volume of new novel coronavirus cases rising sharply, the federal education ministry on Wednesday offered proposals for early and extended winter break in schools.

In this regard, the federal education ministry on Wednesday communicated two proposals to the provincial education ministries for closing schools and curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) amongst children.

Termed ‘smart Covid response’, the first proposal suggests starting an early and extended winter break for all educational institutions from November 24 until January 31, 2021. 

For this to work, it suggests local arrangements are made for the exchange of homework and assignments, along with online classes and blended learning to continue.

Moreover, teachers will be required to attend schools and prepare academic material for their e-classes, blended learning and homework.

The government initiatives of TeleSchool, e-Taleem, PITB and RadioSchool will work to bridge gaps in the formal system. The second proposal envisions a more gradual transition for students. It suggests that students studying in primary classes to commence their winter break from November 24.

This, education officials said, will help reduce arguably the biggest load of students, numbering around 28 million nation-wide and the associated logistics linked to their attendance.

In the second phase of this proposal, students studying in middle school can stop going to their respective educational institutions from December 2. This will limit the movement of another six million students.​ Thereafter on December 15, students in higher and higher secondary school can also stop attending schools. Reducing the movement of a further five million students.

It, however, includes the suggestion that teachers can continue to come into schools to prepare lessons or conduct classes. To cope with the gaps, the proposals suggested extending the ongoing academic session until May 31, 2021.

Thereafter, examinations for classes I through VIII can be held from June 1 to June 10, while those for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) - Matriculation - and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) - intermediate - can be held later in June. An alternate mode of assessment for practical exams will be evolved.

Moreover, the new academic session can start in ​September 2021.

This proposal is in contrast to the previous suggestion of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) to shut all educational institutions from November 20 which received resistance given that schools only resumed in-person classes in September after a six-month break.

The proposals added that an option will be decided based on the emerging Covid-19 situation at the upcoming inter-provincial meeting of education ministers scheduled for November 23.

Given the federal education ministry’s proposal for extended winter vacations, the Punjab Education Ministry has instructed all district education officers to instruct teachers to prepare a month’s homework.

The assignments should be prepared by November 24.

Schools closed in the capital

Meanwhile, the Islamabad District Health Office on Wednesday urged the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) to close another two schools after Covid-19 cases were detected there.

In a letter, Islamabad District Health Officer Dr Zaeem Zia recommended the closure of a private school in Sector G-15 and the Islamabad Model College for Boys in Sector I-10. It further recommended the district administration conduct contact tracing.

Moreover, Dr Zia recommended reopening Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and another private school, previously closed.

Separately, Comsats University Rector Dr Moeez reportedly passed away after contracting Covid-19. His office was also closed.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM SHABBIR HUSSAIN IN ISLAMABAD AND QAISER SHERAZI IN RAWALPINDI

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2020.