‘No classes for grade 1 to 8 in COVID hotspots till April 28’

Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood has announced on Tuesday that physical classes for grades one to eight will remain suspended in affected districts till April 28.

“Classes for 9th till 12th standards will continue under strict observance of SOPs,” said Shafqat Mahmood while addressing the media, following the meeting of the National Command and Control Center (NCOC).

Education/Health Ministers of Pakistan unanimously made following decisions at NCOC today: 1) In districts affected by corona classes from 1 till 8th will remain closed till 28th April. 2) In these districts classes 9th till 12th will resume in a staggered manner from April 19th

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

He further stated: “The provinces will decide which areas are the most affected and where this will be implemented.”

Mahmood also emphasised that exams would have to take place but, he said, not before May 24. “No one should have any uncertainty in their mind,” he later posted on Twitter.

In the Education Ministers conference today it was also decided unanimously that all exams will take place. A/ AS and O level date sheets have already been announced. Classes 9 to 12 exam dates will be announced by respective boards but will be after Eid

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

Decisions regarding exams are final. Students should start preparing and working hard. This decision will not be changed so no one should have any uncertainty in their mind. Everything has been done keeping interest of education in mind. My very best wishes to everyone

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 6, 2021

The federal minister explained that last year the previous academic records had been used to promote students, but for this year, they had no such records.

However, according to the minister, the decision will be reviewed again after April 28.