• 9^th to 12^th classes to resume from 18^th of January
• 1^st to 8^th grade classes are opening from 1^st of February
• Universities are opening from 1^st of February
• Another meeting of National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) with education ministers will held next week

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Shafqat Mehmood addressed on Friday a press conference on reopening of schools after a high level meeting at (NCOC) National Command and Operations Centre by reviewing the latest condition of COVID-19 in the whole country.

2/2 All other educational institutions, that is class 1 to 8 and universities will reopen on Feb 1. In the meantime we will review the situation city wise next week.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 15, 2021

What was decided in the (NCOC) meeting? Let’s review below:

1. (9^th to 12^th) grade classes are going to start as decided from January 18, 2021
2. The classes from (9^th to 12^th) has been decided to open because the exams are due for those students
3. Primary schools (1^st to 8^th) classes will reopen from 1^st of February
4. Students will not be passed without exams like last year Federal and provisional governments decided
5. Universities will reopen from 1^st of February as decided previous
6. Re-evaluation of the data will be next week where (NCOC) will review and make a decision whether to open the schools on 1^st of February or Not
7. There is possibility where coronavirus pandemic rate is high in the cities, the educational institutes might not reopen
8. 1 additional week has been granted to the classes of grade (1^st to 8^th). They were presumed to reopen on January 25, 2021

“After a detailed analysis of the situation by health and education ministers we have decided to start classes for 9,10,11,12 as per announced schedule of January 18. Priority is being given to them because of board exams that have been postponed to May, June,” Shafqat Mehmood clarifies.

After a detailed analysis of the situation by health and education ministers we have decided to start classes for 9,10,11,12 as per announced schedule of Jan 18. Priority is being given to them because of board exams that have been postponed to May, June 1/2

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 15, 2021

Mehmood said, the positivity rate of has gone down up to 6.10% which was 7.14% on 26th of November 2020 when the schools were closed. He also elaborated that the students will not be promoted with exams like last year.

Yesterday, Murad Raas forced parents to send children to schools and assure them that the government is taking strict action to follow SOPs at all the educational institutes of the country.