Schools will reopen in some parts of the country from Monday as provinces made their own decisions on the matter in view of the local coronavirus situation.
Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas on Friday announced that schools in few districts of Punjab will reopen from May 24. According to a notification issued in this regard, a copy of which was shared by the minister on his Twitter account, public and private schools in Punjab’s select districts will operate only four days a week. Moreover, schools will be allowed to call students on alternative days with 50 percent attendance.
A decision related to the opening of schools in the remaining districts will be taken in the next meeting, the notification said.
Per the notification, schools will be opened in Bahawalnagar, Jhang, Nankana Sahib, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Jhelum, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Kasur, Pakpattan, Sialkot, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahuddin, Rajanpur and Vehari districts.
“All the authorities concerned shall ensure the observance and compliance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures in letter and spirit. The schools shall open for 04 days a week staggering 02 days attendance of each child,” the notification read.
Separately, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced staggered reopening all educational institutions in some districts beginning May 24.
The educational institutions are reopening in districts where the coronavirus positivity ratio remains below 5 percent — a decision made in line with the National Command and Operations Centre’s announcement.
Public and private universities and colleg