The Sindh Private Schools Association has decided to hold meeting after rejecting the decision of closing schools by Sindh Government amid covid-19 spike.

According to Aleem Qureshi, Chairman, Alliance of Private Schools, the provincial government should announce a clear cut policy regrading educational institutes as schools and universities were supposed to start new academic sessions in August.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic year is being affected for the third consecutive year. The Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 should consult stakeholders instead of making unilateral decisions,” stated Aleem.

Qureshi suggested that the task force consider Punjab-style summer vacations till July 31 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Closing the schools and colleges is not the solution as it is the time for new admissions,” he said.

He pointed out that as 80% of the staffers of private schools had been vaccinated, the risk of COVID-19 spread due to schools was very low. He maintained that private schools had been strictly following COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).

However, a meeting of all provincial private school associations will be held on July 26 to discuss the future action plan.

He further stated that if shops and factories could remain open for 12 and 24 hours, why were the authorities interested in the closure of educational institutions

“When no other sector has been closed, they cannot not let schools be closed,”