Pre-primary to 8th grade classes to reopen on Feb 1.

Byline: Kashif Abbasi

ISLAMABAD -- Education and health ministers on Friday decided to extend the opening of pre-primary to eight grade classes till Feb 1 while classes 9 to 12 will reopen on Monday as per schedule.

The ministers took the decision at a virtual meeting held at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in the federal capital.

After the meeting, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood told media that classes 9 to 12 would resume as per the already announced schedule on Jan 18 (Monday). He, however, said pre-primary to eight classes would open on Feb 1 instead of Jan 25, along with institutions of higher education.

He said during the meeting it was noticed that in some cities the rate of Covid-19 was higher than others, adding that another review meeting would be held next week to discuss the situation.

l Another review meeting to be held next week l 'Smart approach' being considered in cities with higher infection rates l Classes 9 to 12 to commence from Monday

The minister hinted that the government could opt for a 'smart approach' under which cities with higher infection rates could be asked not to open the pre-primary to eight class schools and higher educational institutions from Feb 1.

The minister said at present the daily Covid-19 cases were about 3,000 in the country, adding that all stakeholders and the government were cognisant of the fact that students had already faced loss of education last year.

He said the government opted for a balanced approach under which the education system should remain open but not at the expense of the health of students and teachers. Due to the closure of schools, the learning level of students had decreased, he added.

Mr Mahmood...