Punjab education minister announces date to reopen schools

LAHORE – Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said on Thursday that all public and private schools will reopen in the province from August 2 following the end of summer vacation on August 1.

In a tweet, Raas said: “Schools will open with staggered approach. 50% students in all classes on any given day”.

He also urged the officials of schools to ensure the implementation of the Covid-19 SOPs issued by the government.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
All Public & Private Schools of Punjab to open on August 2nd, 2021. Schools will open with staggered approach. 50% students in all classes on any given day. Details are in the attached Notification. Please follow COVID SOPs as issued by the Government. pic.twitter.com/UPzObxwhm4

— Murad Raas (@MuradRaasMR) July 29, 2021

On Wednesday, the Federal Education Ministry announced that summer vacation for education institutions will not be extended while board examinations will be held as per schedule across the country amid spike in Covid-19 cases.

The decision was taken during a virtual meeting chaired by the Acting Secretary for the Ministry of Federal Education Asif Haider and attended by provincial education secretaries.

Meanwhile, the meeting decided that academic activities at schools will be conducted under the strict implementation of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Furthermore, the federal ministry has directed the provincial departments to make decision about reopening of schools according to the positivity ratio in the respective regions.