ISLAMABAD: After two officers tested positive for Covid-19, Ministry of Education and Professional Training has been closed for three days.

Sources from the ministry said that two senior officers of the ministry tested positive, which resulted in closure of the ministry on Tuesday.

The ministry also issued a circular, available with Dawn, that stated: “Consequently, upon the detection of corona infected cases in this ministry, it has been decided with approval of competent authority that premises of Federal Education and Professional Training Ministry will remain unoccupied upto Jun 5, 2020 for thorough disinfection through National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).”

The official affairs of the ministry will be dealt through e-offices and officials and officers have been advised to be available on telephone and attend meetings as and when required.

Meanwhile, through a letter, the ministry on Tuesday also requested NDMA to depute a team to disinfect its offices and premises. Under the supervision of Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, the ministry remained active since March 15, when educational institutions were abruptly closed in the wake of Covid-19.

Since then, a number of meetings took place at its premises to discuss various issues such as preparing new exams policy, preparing online content and launching of online television for students.

Ministry officials were busy developing content for educational radio and setting up a designated wing to promote distance learning.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2020