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ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed universities to conduct online classes for two weeks in the cities where the COVID-19 cases are surging.
The directives were issued following the federal government’s announcement to close academic institutions in selected cities due to the recent upsurge in COVID-19 cases.
According to the statement issued by the HEC, an exception will be given to universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) in the following cities: Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.
“All universities and HEIs in the above-mentioned cities shall remain closed for physical attendance during March 15-28, 2021,” the statement read.
“Universities are advised to ensure strict observance of the COVID-19 minimum health and safety protocols i.e., thermal scanning, wearing facemasks, social distancing, availability and regular use of sanitizers, and disinfection of buildings,” HEC said.
#Covid-19 Pandemic
Universities to Go Online for Two Weeks in Selected Cities pic.twitter.com/YJ62BEh6Pk
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) March 10, 2021
Earlier the day, Addressing media after a meeting of education ministers at the National Command and Operations (NCOC), Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said all educational institutions in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would remain closed from March 15 till March 28.
The federal minister that the situation in Sindh and Balochistan is normal and schools in the two provinces would ensure fifty attendance for students. However, educational institutions in seven cities of Punjab will be closed from March 15.
The meeting decided that educational institutions in Lahore, Gujarat, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Multan will also be closed from 15-28th March. Shafqat Mahmood said that the provincial government should monitor the situation in schools where examinations will be held.
He said many problems have been reported in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial governments may close schools if conditions worsen. He said the decision regarding closure in Muzaffarabad will be taken by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he specified that the directive will only be applicable to schools in Peshawar where a high positivity rate has been recorded, and half of the students will keep attending classes in other districts.
The minister said that the decisions do not apply to examinations for O and A levels where students have to appear for the examination. He said that it had previously been decided that exams for Grade 9,10, 11 and 12 would be held during the period between May and June.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Dr Faisal Sultan said that it was decided to close the recreational park at 6 PM and agreed on fifty percent attendance at offices in Islamabad.
Faisal Sultan said that the policy regarding the opening of wedding halls will be maintained. He emphasized the use of face masks and smart lockdowns to control the spread of the disease.
