Education

Schools and Colleges are opening from September?

While the commercial operation is resuming across the region, there is was little certainty about the future of academic education, as questions remained about the expected resumption of educational institutes by mid-July. Different plans were debated to prolong the closing of schools or to reopen on 16 July.

However, to avoid any further educational loss the government of Pakistan has agreed to reopen educational institutions throughout Pakistan in the first week of September. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister of Education, Shafqat Mehmood, alongside provincial ministers of education. Reports state that the meeting members have agreed to reopen schools with all the ongoing pandemic standard operating procedures ( SOPs) in effect to prevent any unforeseen problems. Specific precautions will take place such as maintaining a minimum of six feet from all persons and restricting students to carry masks and gloves in the classrooms.

What the representative of the parents association group has to say about this decision?

Hamid Khan, who represents the parents association group appreciated the decision made by the government for not reopening the educational institutes in July. He said:  “Not opening schools is a wise and good decision by the education ministers. I would say that if the risk factor continues, there is no need to open schools in September and focus should instead be paid to online classes.” He further added that the developed countries are considering online classes a far better option than reopening the schools and colleges until the pandemic is under control.

All private school management association incensed by the government’s decision:

The Private school management association is not happy with this move. They stated that schools, which charge 80% of their regular fees besides the closing of schools, have claimed that their survival is at risk.

A press released was issued by the all Pakistan school management association in response to the meeting held by the government. It said: “The meeting of the ministers of education remained fruitless. Due to Covid-19 and lack of interest of the government, many private educational institutions have been closed and more are on the way of closure. No relief package was announced for the private educational institutions and it has brought despondency in the whole private education sector.”

“[Private institutions] are having difficulty paying utility bills, salaries, and, building rents. If this situation continues, more than 60% of schools will be closed,” says Abrar Ahmed Khan.

The association’s divisional president Abrar Ahmed Khan also said that many educational institutes are closing down as they are not able to cover their expenses. The private institutes are facing a hard time paying off their utility bills and salaries to the staff. If things did not change any further the many schools and colleges would not be able to survive any longer.

After all these discussions, it has not yet been verified that the schools will be reinstated from September, or if it is yet another political declaration to silence the voices of private institutes. It’s not going to be a perfect scenario, but we need to consider our choices. We have got to find a way to deal with this virus for at least the next few years.

Leave a Reply

Back to top button

Oh No! Why did you do this to us?

We've detected an ad or JS blocker in your browser. Please disable it to continue browsing Telefeeds website. Allowing ads from Telefeeds will help its team, author, and editors to deliver more valuable and authentic news to you. If you want to these ads permanently blocked and still want to read our news then, we request you to contribute with donation to Telefeeds team as a kind act. Keep growing mutually.