Low attendance observed as grades 9 to 12 resume classes

Classes resumed today following a decision of the NCOC in view of the board exams

ISLAMABAD:

Low attendance was observed as grades 9 to 12 resumed classes across the country on Monday after a decision to resume school sessions.

The National Command and Operation Centre, following its emergent meeting on April 18, decided to resume classes under strict adherence to the Covid-19 SOPs.

Students of the grades are to attend the classes in view of the approaching board exams. However, attendance remained significantly low, with fewer children seen in the schools of the federal capital.

Also read Punjab to resume physical classes for grades 9-12 from Monday

On Sunday, the authorities decided to close grades 1 to 8 in view of the pandemic's third wave. It was also decided that online classes will continue in universities with a high infection ratio.

On April; 6, the government announced to extend the closure of schools – classes I to VIII – in the districts most affected by the coronavirus, till the 28th of this month.

Following a meeting of the provincial health and education ministers, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced that classes IX to XII would resume from April 19, even in the most affected districts with strict adherence to the precautionary standard operating procedures (SOPs), while the board exams would be held from the third week of May.

“These classes [I to VIII] can take place online but there will be no physical presence during the sessions,” he said. “It is the prerogative of the provinces to decide as to which of their districts are most affected and require strict measures.”