From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Schools across Sindh have reopened for middle and primary classes from Monday under the strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
After a pause of seven months, all public and private schools have reopened for grades one to eight. Strict implementation of SOPs was also ensured at entry points of schools.
Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani stressed coronavirus-related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and precautionary measures once again, warning that strict action would be taken against all private and public educational institutions who failed to implement such measures.
He appealed to parents to ensure their children comply with these measures as well.
Last week, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho had opposed the decision to reopen primary schools in haste as the coronavirus rate is increasing in the province. Dr Azra had said that the rate of coronavirus infections is increasing in Sindh. She opposed the decision to reopen schools in the current situation. She added that primary schools should not be reopened in haste.
Meanwhile, Spokesperson Balochistan government Liaquat Shahwani on Monday said that primary schools in the province will remain closed for 15 more days.Last week, the NCOC had granted permission to enter into the second phase of reopening schools for secondary students across the country.
The academic sessions of secondary students from Class VI to Class VIII resumed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces from September 23. Expressing his views in private TV channel, Liaquat Shahwani said the decision of delaying the reopening of primary schools has been taken after an increase in coronavirus cases. The deadly infection cases have been reported in universities too. Primary schools will remain closed for 15 more days and decision to reopen primary classes will be taken later, he added.
It is to be mentioned here with the latest detection of the COVID-19 cases, the number of total cases that have been reported at the educational institutions of Balochistan stands at 406. Scores of educational institutions have been closed after positives tests in schools, he said.
