The Government Announces Final Decision About Reopening Of Educational Institutes and Exams

The federal minister for education and professional training, Shafqat Mahmood has announced that the educational institutes in the coronavirus hotspot areas will remain closed till 28th April 2021. The classes for grades one to eight will remain suspended till 28th April however the classes for grades nine to twelve will be resumed from 19th April in different phases. The decision has been taken in the meeting of the national command and operation Centre in which the provincial education ministers and health ministers participated to review the ongoing situation of the coronavirus pandemic and to make the decision regarding the reopening of the educational institutes and commencement of the exams. The minister has said that during the closure time period no physical classes will be held although the students will take the online classes as per the issued schedule. 

Matric and Intermediate Exams 2021

According to the statement issued by Shafqat Mahmood, the annual board exams of matric and intermediate will be commenced from the third week of May. The decision about the exams is final so the candidates should start the preparation for the exams. He added that the government will conduct the board examinations with the strict implementation of SOPs. Before the exams, the invigilation staff will be trained to ensure the safety of the students. Moreover, after the NCOC meeting, it has been also announced that Cambridge international examinations will hold the O and A level exams as per the announced schedule from 10th May 2021. 

Decision Of NCOC

The minister said that all the provinces have the right to decide about the resumption of the academic activities depending upon the situation of the coronavirus in their respective areas. Sindh education minister has already announced the closure of the schools for 15 days from 6th April 2021. The review session of NCOC will be held again on 28th April 2021 to make further decisions. It has been also directed to the universities to postpone the admissions process due to the third wave of COVID-19.