Schools To Open or Not? Students, Parents Confused

Will schools open or not in Pakistan? Will the children go back to school or continue online classes? These questions have emerged in the minds of the public wondering what will happen as January 11 is coming closer.

Conflicting statements from federal and provincial ministers have led to confusion in parents and confusion.

Punjab School Education Minister Dr. Murad Raas commenting on the decision to open schools said that he was personally against the closure of schools and felt schools should reopen soon.

He also said that students to be promoted on basis of homework and no exams will take place.

However, addressing a press conference in Karachi recently, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said it was unlikely that educational institutions would be reopened in January 2021 considering the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation.

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani also said students would not be promoted to next grades without exams.

Adding to the confusion of parents and students, All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association (APPSMA) strongly objected to the closure of schools and demanded they should be allowed to reopen.

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APPSMA President Kashif Adeeb Jawadani said low-cost private schools were unable to pay rents, heavy utility bills, and various kinds of taxes, as a large number of parents were not paying fees due to which schools were in great trouble as they had to pay salaries to teachers and other staff.

Furthermore, the Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood said that owing to the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country, the government took the “right decision” to close educational institutions.

Taking to Twitter, the minister assured students that all schools and colleges will reopen as soon as the coronavirus situation is under control.

Given the current high rate of corona infections and sadly deaths, it was the right decision to close educational institutions. Students should rest assured that the moment things get better all institutions will open. I am greatly concerned about their education

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) December 15, 2020

Stressing that children’s health cannot be taken lightly, Mahmood continued that there were around 50 million students across the country, making one-fourth of the country’s population.

“They can become carriers. So it was necessary to shut down schools,” he had said.

The parents and students are confused about children’s education as our leaders are of different opinions.

All education ministers of the country would sit again in the first week of January 2021 and assess the situation to make any decision about the reopening of campuses, extending the academic year etc.