Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said on Sunday that schools and colleges will remain closed till August 19 in view of the rising incidence of coronavirus cases.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said: "The decision has been taken that we will keep schools closed till Aug 19 [as well as] colleges."

The Sindh government had closed schools across the province on July 24 due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases although it had said that exams would take place according to schedule.

According to a notification issued by the Sindh government's school education and literacy department, "all public and private educational institutions under [its] administrative control" would remain closed till Aug 19 due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

A similar notification was issued by the provincial government's college education department, saying that physical classes in all public and private educational institutions under its administrative control would be closed till Aug 19.

The notification added, however, that examinations would take place as per the schedule announced by the respective boards. Principals would also ensure the presence of essential staff for maintenance and cleanliness of the colleges during the closure period.

Shah said that with the upcoming Muharram holidays, the Covid-19 situation would also be monitored.

He also said that a notification would be issued tomorrow (Monday) to ensure mandatory vaccination for teachers and only vaccinated teachers would be allowed on premises.

"The decision of the chief minister and the task force to stop their salaries will also be implemented," he added, referring to teachers who did not get vaccinated.

The education minister pointed out that the positivity rate in Karachi had still not decreased and stood at 23 per cent. "God forbid, if we don't take care in Muharram, this rate can increase," he said, adding that the challenge was two-fold: to protect the people from the disease but also not let student's education be impacted.

Responding to a question on when schools would be opened, the education minister gave the potential date of Aug 20 but said that a meeting would be held in Muharram to review the situation. He said whatever would be decided would be in favour of children and their parents.

Education reforms

The minister also outlined his approach to reforms in the education sector, focusing on a curriculum overhaul, upgrading infrastructure and teaching quality.

Shah lamented that the current curriculum was outdated and out of touch, referring to first-year students learning about the benefits of radio when it wasn't even commonly used now. "The curriculum will be revised."

On infrastructure, he said he would himself carry out inspections and vigilance would be ensured. "So at least [infrastructure] is child friendly [and] the school is a friend for children and not a ghost house to scare them off," he said.

He stressed that imparting quality education to students was linked to better teachers and "we will make no compromise on their quality". Shah added that teachers would be hired on "100pc merit".

New restrictions

Meanwhile, the Sindh government also announced new Covid-19 standard operating procedures that will remain in effect from August 9 to Aug 31, relaxing some of the restrictions as its partial lockdown comes to an end. They include:

• Markets and businesses to function until 8pm, except essential services
• Indoor dining to remain banned. Outdoor dining (till 10pm), takeaway and delivery will be allowed
• Friday and Sunday to be observed as closed days
• Indoor weddings will be banned; outdoor weddings will be allowed with maximum 300 guests until 10pm
• Shrines and cinemas to remain closed
• Indoor gyms to be allowed for vaccinated individuals only
• Offices and public transport to operate at 50pc capacity
• District administrations may impose broader lockdowns in specific areas based on the risk.