In the wake of APS attack: Public schools to reopen on January 5

Education stakeholders announce colleges to stay closed till January 12.

PESHAWAR: After the Army Public School carnage, educational institutes were initially unsure about when to start the next academic year. However, the education department and public sector academic institutions decided on Monday schools and colleges will start functioning after the New Year.

All government schools will reopen on January 5 while colleges will start on January 12, it was decided at the meeting, chaired by Higher Education Secretary Muhammad Ali Shahzada. The huddle was attended by Elementary and Secondary Education department officials, university vice chancellors (VCs) and principals of schools.

Private schools will reopen on January 4.

Securing universities

No solid decision has been taken on when to reopen universities and how to ensure their security.



According to a senior official of the department, there was somewhat of a difference of opinion on the reopening of universities. However, he said, a five-member committee was formed which included the VC of the University of Engineering and Technology, and the VCs of the universities of Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan and DI Khan. At the meeting, University of Peshawar (UoP) VC Professor Rasul Jan said, “Providing security to such a large number of students and employees is a huge responsibility in my undertaking; it makes it hard to reopen the university.”

However, UoP Media Officer Akhtar Amin told The Express Tribune the university will reopen on January 1.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2014.