No Promotion to next grade without Exams says Murad Raas

Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas clarified on Tuesday that no one will be promoted to the next grade without examination this year.

Addressing press conference alongside Special Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab, Firdou Ashiq Awan; he said that that schools have been allowed only 50 percent strength and strict implementation of coronavirus related standard operating procedures (SOPs) will also be ensured.

He added that schools were closed for about half year during the first wave and up to two months during the second wave and the government started online classes to minimalize the loss of students.

Murad Raas further said that a campaign is being launched at the federal level to know the actual number of the students who left their studies after the pandemic.

Students from grade 9 to 12 returned to schools across Pakistan this week after two months closure due to spike in coronavirus cases and winter vacations.

The students of classes 8 and below will return to school from February 1.The schools were reopened after a high level committee agreed on a phase-wise reopening of schools.

According to the SOPs, the students must maintain a social distance between educational institutions and vans. Masks will be mandatory for students, including teaching and non-teaching staff, in educational institutions. The doors and windows of classrooms in educational institutions will be opened for ventilation. Seating arrangements for students in the classrooms will be subject to social distance.

Only one student will be allowed to sit at a desk. Parents are advised to keep hand sanitizers and water bottles in their children’s school bags. The cafeteria and canteen in educational institutions will make more use of disposable foodservice items.