Schools in Pak closed down for violating Covid SOPs

Islamabad, Nov 24 : Pakistan’s Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Tuesday that the decision to close down educational institutes was taken due to non-compliance with government-issued coronavirus SOPs.
“The SOPs were not being followed as they should have been,” he said, adding that health department data showed rapid virus transmission in education institutes, Geo TV reported.
Stressing that children’s health cannot be taken lightly, Mahmood said there were around 50 million students across the country i.e. one-fourth of our population. “They can become carriers. So it was necessary to shut down schools.” Mahmood pointed out that the schools were “shut down” but the students were barred from attending it in person. “We have asked schools to adopt an online mechanism.” The education minister said those who cannot adopt online schooling should give out homework. “Students or parents can be called once a week to submit the homework.” He asserted that schools will remain open till December 24.