KARACHI: Education Minister Of Sindh Saeed Ghani has clarified that all educational institutes will be reopened in phases from 15-30th September.
The minister said that in the first phase, all higher education institutes including universities, colleges, including Class 9 and matriculation will be opened.
In the second phase starting 22nd September, schools will open for Class 6 to 8, and finally, primary classes will be conducted on a regular bases from 30th September.
He also clarified that all the schools are instructed by the government to follow SOPs to protect students from COVID-19. If any institute reports a coronavirus case, then the government will seal it temporarily.
Earlier on 1st September, the government of Sindh issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the schools in the province to be adopted by school management, students, teachers and others during the academic session.
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The administration will be responsible for disinfecting school building, classrooms, water and sanitation facilities regularly, and adjusting school days and timings to avoid large gathering of students in a classroom.
They will be responsible for splitting students of pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary in shifts, avoiding large number of teachers in a classroom, and disallowing anyone with COVID-19 symptoms from entering the school.
They are also instructed to making the use of face mask in school mandatory, using Saturday as a working day, and holding morning assembly in classrooms while also placing hand sanitizers.
The SOPs for teachers include instructing students to cover mouth and nose while coughing; ensuring that classroom furniture is properly placed with adequate distance, and encouraging students to express and communicate their feelings.
The SOPs for students include wearing face masks during travel and schooling, washing hands frequently, avoiding touching the face, avoid sharing cups, food or drinks with others, and also avoiding stigmatizing classmates about being sick.
The SOPs for school transport include the van must be thoroughly disinfected before the start of each shift and all students, staff, and drivers are wearing masks.
