File Photo: A girl student at a government-run high school in Balochistan's Pishin district: Photo provided by UNICEF

Balochistan schools to reopen from May 24

Education Desk:

All government-run and private schools would reopen across Balochistan from May 24th. “Schools will reopen as per the decision of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC)”, Sher Khan Bazai, the Secretary Secondary Education Balochistan told Quetta Voice.

The Balochistan government had closed all educational institutions in April in the aftermath of an outbreak of the third wave of the COVID19. The government eased the lockdown and decided to reopen schools after a reduction in the number of coronavirus cases.

Teachers directed to follow SOPs

“All teachers directed to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)”, Mr. Bazai informed. He said committees already formed on the district level to ensure the implementation of the COVID19 SOPs in educational institutions.

The number of government-run primary, middle and high schools across Balochistan is over 14,000. Schools in rural Balochistan paint a bleak picture when it comes to the availability of basic facilities.

COVID19 severely affected education sector 

“We appeal the parents to ensure the presence of their sons and daughters in schools”, the Secretary of Education said. Continued closure of educational institutions because of the novel coronavirus has severely affected the schooling of children. Especially, private schools have witnessed an increasing dropout due to continued closure. “Parents refused to pay increasing fees during the closure of schools”, the Secretary noted.

UoB to reopen after a period of month 

The University of Balochistan will resume academic activities from May 24th. The University administration has decided to re-open all campuses for all teaching and non-teaching staff and students from May 24th after a suspension of more than a month, a notification issued by the Registrar office said. Administrations of other universities have also decided to resume academic activities as per the guideline of NCOC across Balochistan from May 24th.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the Author

Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.