Private schools oppose closure

The representatives of private schools have urged the government to avoid closing educational institutions on pretext of coronavirus pandemic.

Markets, cinema halls, marquees and other public places are open, they said, adding that closing educational institutions would adversely affect academic activities.

They were speaking at meeting of the Sindh Education Department's steering committee on Saturday. Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani chaired the meeting.

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Some of the committee members suggested in the meeting that schools should be closed for two weeks, while some of them opposed the idea of shutting schools. As a last option, they suggested to suspend the academic activities from pre-primary to grade VIII and continue physical classes for grade IX and X.

Private school owners requested the education minister to review the decision of closing schools.

Ghani said that suggestions will be presented before National Command and Operation Centre after which the decision would be finalised.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2021.