The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPSCA) has rejected the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decision to close schools in Punjab, Islamabad, and Peshawar, demanding that all educational institutions should reopen with strict implementation of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPS).
“Educational institutions should immediately reopen with strict implementation of SOPs,” Malik Abrar, Chairperson APPSCA said.
“Airports, shopping malls, and markets are all open, and even the Senate elections are underway,” he added. “Is it only schools where coronavirus spreads?”
“If our demands are not met, we will join the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s long march,” he further said, threatening to join the opposition alliance in protest of the government’s decisions.
All Pakistan Private Schools Federation President Kashif Mirza said: “Millions of students across the country haven’t returned to schools at all, at least 700,000 teachers are still unemployed and over 10,000 schools have shut down.”
In the wake of rising coronavirus cases across Punjab, the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) has decided to shut down educational institutions in seven districts of Punjab, including Lahore, from March 15-28. This was announced on Wednesday.
The districts include Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Multan Rawalpindi and Sialkot where the educational institutions will remain closed. The educational institutions will also be closed for two to three weeks in Islamabad.
Addressing a conference alongside Prime Minister’s health aide Dr Faisal Sultan, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said schools in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will continue to operate with 50 % attendance because the cases in the provinces weren’t spiking.
Mahmood clarified that the decision will be applicable to all educational institutions, including universities. These restrictions will, however, not be applicable to exams, he said, adding that A-Level, matric and intermediate examinations will be held as per the schedule.
“Schools should monitor the situation themselves and take the necessary decisions.” The decision will be reviewed in the next NCOC meeting on April 12, he added.
On March 10, 2,258 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Pakistan while 53 lost their lives. This marks the highest number of daily cases recorded since last month.
As of March 11, the total number of active coronavirus infections in Pakistan stands at 17,627.
