ISLAMABAD: Education ministers on Monday postponed their decision on early and extended winter vacation for educational institutions in the wake of the rising Covid-19 cases and decided for another huddle next week to take a final decision.

According to a statement issued by the education ministry, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said: “The final decision will be taken in the next meeting to be held on Nov 23.”

The Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference’s virtual meeting held with the federal education minister in the chair discussed the matter and decided to meet again on next Monday for a final decision.

Officials from the health department and National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) briefed the ministers about the situation of the pandemic.

The ministers were recommended by health officials to also get updates on the virus from provincial health authorities for the next meeting.

The Covid-19 cases have witnessed an increase across the country while in the federal capital so far 85 educational institutions have been sealed.

Last week, NCOC had recommended early and extended winter vacations in educational institutions. Provinces have their own schedules for the winter vacations and in Islamabad schools usually remain closed from Dec 25 to Jan 5. Earlier, educational institutions across the country remained closed from March to September due to the pandemic.

In September, the institutions were reopened under the standard operating procedures (SOPs). But a large number of institutions were sealed after positive cases were detected among staff and students.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2020