KARACHI: The Sindh government on Thursday decided to close all madressahs across the province which continued their educational activities despite closure of other educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities and coaching and training centres, in a move to contain spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

A notification issued by the Sindh home department said that the orders were put in place “with immediate effect” and asked all the relevant district administrations and law enforcement agencies to ensure its implementation. However, unlike schools, colleges and other educational institutions, the authorities have not mentioned any time frame for the closure of the madressahs in the province.

“In exercise of powers under Section 3 (1) of Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014 (Act VIII of 2015), the government directs the closure of all educational activities in madrassahs throughout the province of Sindh with the immediate effect,” said the notification. “The secretary Auqaf and religious affairs department are empowered under Section 3(1) of the above said Act to issue further orders, directions, notices to put this order into effect in letter and spirit and to clarify further for implementation. The deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners concerned as well as personnel of the law enforcement agencies not below the rank of inspector of police or equivalent rank of other law enforcement agencies are empowered under Section 3(1) of the said acts to take legal action on an act contravention of this order issued thereunder.”

No period for closure mentioned in the notification

Due to the renewed surge in Covid-19 cases, the federal government on Nov 23 had announced the closure of educational institutions from Nov 26 to Jan 10, postponing the exams scheduled during this period. The decision was taken at an online conference of provincial and federal education ministers, headed by Shafqat Mahmood, after they discussed the wave of Covid-19 and its impact on educational institutions.

At the conference, the ministers agreed that all educational institutions should remain closed and students be taught through online classes from Nov 26 till Dec 24, while winter vacation be observed from Dec 25 to Jan 10, 2021. However, as the government had taken measures to mitigate the impact of the second wave of the pandemic, the Wafaqul Madaris Al-Arabia had announced that the seminaries would not be closed as the largest federation of seminaries in the country was not consulted on the issue.

Though in Punjab, the provincial government had notified the closure of seminaries with schools, colleges, academies and tuition centres, the madressahs continued their educational activities.

“All the madressahs have been conveyed through their umbrella body about the Sindh government decision. We are not sure at this point in time but the decision is expected to be reviewed in the second week of January,” said an official.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2020