Decision to reopen schools, postpone exams and reduce holidays will be made on January 4

Talks between the government and the Private Schools Association failed to decide whether to open educational institutions, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said, adding that the decision to open schools, postpone March exams, reduce summer vacations will be taken on 4 January in consultation with the NCOC.

Talks between the government and the Supreme Council of Private Schools took place at the Islamabad office of the Federal Minister of Education. The government delegation included Minister for Education and Vocational Training Shafqat Mehmood, Parliamentary Secretary for Education Wajiha Ikram, Chairperson Private Schools Regulatory Authority (Para) while the delegation of Supreme Council of Private Schools included Afzal Babar, Hafiz Basharat, Abrar Khan and Nasir Mahmood.

The Supreme Council of Private Schools said that a joint decision has been taken to open private educational institutions across the country on January 11. The government should understand the problems of school owners and take steps to solve them. However, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood said that late summer vacations are proposed to be reduced, but will be decided in consultation with the NCOC.

Shafqat Mahmood said that three or four days should be given. On January 4, a meeting of inter-provincial education ministers and the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) will be held to decide on the reopening of schools.

He said that educational institutions cannot be opened without the suggestions of the Ministry of Health. The health of children, teachers and staff has to be taken care of. The decision to open educational institutions will be taken on the briefing of the Ministry of Health.