LAHORE: Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas has said that the closure of educational institutions across  Punjab may be extended due to the current COVID-19 situation.
While addressing the opening ceremony of the retirement system for teachers of the province, the minister said personally, he would not want the schools to remain closed. However, he said authorities may have to go with the option of extending the closure of educational institutions.
Last week, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani too had said that it was unlikely that schools would reopen next month as per the decision taken earlier by the government. He further said that the COVID-19 situation in the country has become serious as cases are being reported from all cities.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Today for the First time School Education Department Punjab launched the Online Portal for Retirement of Teachers. No more bribery, no safarish from anyone and a complete transparent system. Notification on your device. Cost to us – Zero. pic.twitter.com/lzlVNvemLO— Murad Raas (@MuradRaasMR) December 29, 2020
On Monday, Educational Minister Shafqat Mahmood announced that the Inter-provincial Education Ministers conference will take place on January 4 to decide on the reopening of educational institutions.
Earlier, the government had announced to close educational institutions across the country amid the second wave of the COVID-19.
Authorities have decided to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuitions closed. However, online classes will be carried out from November 26 to December 24, Shafqat Mahmood had announced.
From December 25 till January 10, 2021, there will be winter vacations. Then from January 11, if the situation improves. Another 63 people have died in Pakistan due to the coronavirus and the total death toll has risen to 9,992 on Tuesday.
According to the National Command and Control Center, 1,776 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 475,085. In Pakistan, 425,494 coronavirus patients have recovered and 39,599 are undergoing treatment.
According to the National Command and Operations Center, the rate of coronavirus positive cases across the country has risen to 6.13%. Abbottabad coronavirus is at the forefront of positive cases where the rate has reached 15.95 percent.
Karachi corona’s positive case rate is 14.18 percent. Hyderabad 14.47 percent, Islamabad 5.94 percent, Punjab 4.6 percent, and coronavirus positive cases in Sindh are 8.61 percent.
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