Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood on Friday announced that schools across the country will be reopened from January 18^th (Monday) as planned.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the Federal Minister said that classes 9, 10 and 11 will open from January 18.

However, classes 1 to 8 will open on February 1 rather than January 25^th.

Moreover Universities will also be reopening from February 1^st.

He later tweetd:

After a detailed analysis of the situation by health and education ministers we have decided to start classes for 9,10,11,12 as per announced schedule of Jan 18. Priority is being given to them because of board exams that have been postponed to May, June 1/2

After a detailed analysis of the situation by health and education ministers we have decided to start classes for 9,10,11,12 as per announced schedule of Jan 18. Priority is being given to them because of board exams that have been postponed to May, June 1/2

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) January 15, 2021

Shafqat Mehmood in a tweet on Thursday said: “While I desperately want education to continue, the final decision will be on health grounds. Students’ well-being will always be a priority.”

Education Minister Punjab also announced that:

Schedule for all schools of Punjab: 9,10,11,12 classes to open on January 18th, 2021. Primary, Middle and Universities will be opening on February 1st, 2021. The situation is being monitored daily for the safety of our students and teachers and their families.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Schedule for all schools of Punjab: 9,10,11,12 classes to open on January 18th, 2021. Primary, Middle and Universities will be opening on February 1st, 2021. The situation is being monitored daily for the safety of our students and teachers and their families.

— Murad Raas (@DrMuradPTI) January 15, 2021

Earlier this month, the federal government announced a phase-wise plan to reopen educational institutes from January 18 which were closed on November 26 to contain the spread of coronavirus. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has assured the parents that it will ensure strict compliance of COVID-19 SOPs in schools.

Coronavirus Situation in Pakistan

Pakistan on Friday reported 514,338 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus after the fresh inclusion of 2,417 infections in a single day.

According to the national dashboard on COVID-19, 45 more people succumbed to the disease taking national death tally to 10,863. With 2,072 more recoveries in the past 24 hours, the total toll has risen to 469,306. The active cases toll now stands at 34,169.