Pakistan to decide on school reopening in Jan 4 meeting: Shafqat Mahmood

ISLAMABAD – Educational Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Friday said that the Inter-provincial Education Ministers conference will take place on January 4 to decide on the reopening of educational institutions.

Taking it to Twitter, Shafqat wrote, "Inter-provincial Education Ministers conference will take place on Jan 4, 2021. Among other agenda points, the most important would be an analysis of the health situation to determine the re-opening of educational institutions."

Inter-provincial Education Ministers conference will take place on Jan 4, 2021. Among other agenda points the most important would be an analysis of the health situation to determine re-opening of educational institutions

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) December 25, 2020

In another tweet, Shafqat said he very much would like to reopen all educational institutions as he is concerned about the learning losses, especially at the primary level. However, he added the final decision will be made on health grounds as students well being comes first.

As Education Minister I would very much like to reopen all educational institutions as I am concerned about the learning losses specially at the primary level. However the final decision will be made on health grounds. Students well being comes first https://t.co/cTkhDTDqCt

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) December 25, 2020

Earlier, the educational institutions were closed on November 26 in wake of the resurgence of coronavirus cases across the country.

Pakistan shuts educational institutions again amid second Covid-19 wave

The Minister also announced that all examinations scheduled for December have been postponed, and will commence from January 15. However, he stated that there were some professional exams that would continue as per schedule.

Pakistan reports 2,260 new coronavirus cases, 63 deaths in last 24 hours