Preteen students to attend schools on alternate days

With the percentage of positive Covid-19 test results in Lahore rising to 15.2, Punjab School Education Department imposed a restriction of 50 per cent attendance from grade one to six in the city.

Provincial School Education Minister Sardar Murad Raas announced through a tweet that the restriction would remain in force from January 20 to 31. However, an association of private school owners opposed the decision.

The decision regarding school students aged below 12 years came amid concerns among the parents about the suspect ongoing fifth wave of coronavirus spread. According to the department, the restriction is both for government and private schools. Sources said the provincial government had taken the decision in accordance with instructions of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) held a meeting of its central executive committee to review the situation. "As per NCOC data, 98% teachers and 94% of eligible students are already vaccinated. There is no justification of the alternate-day school attendance strategy. Classes must be regular without any delay or break," said the association's president Kashif Mirza.