The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has suggested that educational institutions across the country should be opened with top to bottom approach, starting from universities, colleges, and high schools.
The NCOC meeting on Thursday was convened with a one-point agenda: the smooth reopening of schools and colleges.
It was attended by the focal persons of all provinces including, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
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Representatives of all educational systems were also invited to develop a consensus among all stakeholders on reopening the institutions with the said approach. The participants were informed about the current global COVID-19 situation along with the infection curve in the region as well as in Pakistan.
The risk and challenges in opening educational institutions were also evaluated, as students of all ages are involved. The consultation was also sought from experts in relevant fields.
The Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mehmood, said that the final decision would be made on the 7th of September.
He proposed that the institutions should be opened by following a top to bottom approach with shift rotations, and no extracurricular activities.
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Dr. Faisal Sultan, the Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, as well as the PM House’s Focal Person on Covid-19, informed the participants that the Ministry of Health will monitor the situation of institutions daily.
NCOC and Ministry of Health (MoH) would intimately monitor the disease statistics on a daily basis, particularly to assess the likely impact of tourism and Muharram on the opening of educational institutions.
Dr. Faisal said that the ministry is going to introduce an IT-based monitoring tool to ensure health guidelines and COVID-19 control measures.
