Pakistan to close educational institutions again

A little over two months after students across Pakistan returned to classes, the authorities on Monday decided to close all educational institutions again from November 26 to January 10 to contain the Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed nearly 7,700 lives and infected over 3.7 lakh people in the country.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Pakistan's education ministers. Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood chaired the meeting of education ministers of all four provinces as well as representatives of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

"It has been decided that all universities, colleges and schools will be switched to online teaching mode and all educational institutions will be closed from November 26 to December 24," Mahmood said.

"Winter vacations will be observed from December 25 to January 10. The institutions will reopen on January 11. But we will hold a review meeting to evaluate the situation in the first week of January," he said.

Educational institutions in the country reopened on September 15, over six months after they were closed in view of the outbreak of the pandemic.

The minister said examinations will be cancelled and held after the reopening of institutions in January.

However, entrance exams will be held as per routine.

Mahmood said there was a proposal to extend the current academic session until August and organise various board examinations in May or June.

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