KARACHI: Even though educational institutions have been allowed to open from February 1, they have been asked to hold classes on alternate days. Hence one class will come on one day and another on the second day bringing up 50 per cent attendance.

This was said by Sindh Minister for Education Saeed Ghani following the department of education’s steering committee meeting held on Thursday to decide the academic calendar for the current year.

Saeed Ghani said that universities across Sindh would reopen on Feb 1, but all government and private educational institutions will be bound to call 50pc students on one day and the remaining 50pc on the second day. He also said that without examinations, no one would be promoted this year.

Meanwhile, the steering committee will present its report regarding the current and next year’s calendar, including examination dates, admission date, holiday schedule, etc, after another meeting to finalise everything on January 30.

Saeed Ghani said that last year the academic plan was compiled keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, and the curriculum was disturbed, too. “But the stakeholders have agreed that this year no one will be promoted without exams even if 60pc of the curriculum is covered during the year,” he said.

He further added that the educational institutions will be bound to observe all standard operating procedures (SOPs) also approved by the steering committee. “Covid-19 tests in all private and government educational institutions will continue,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2021