Sindh not to allow full school attendance

Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said on Sunday that 100 per cent student attendance in schools across the province will not be allowed until the coronavirus pandemic was eliminated. “How will social distancing be observed if we allow the resumption of 100 per cent attendance in schools,” the minister questioned while speaking at a press conference. He said educational institutions in Sindh will maintain 50 per cent attendance. He said even though the federal education minister had allowed 100 per cent attendance across schools, the Sindh Education Department had its own steering committee responsible for taking provincial decisions. The decision to reopen schools was also taken by the committee, he added. Emphasising the importance of following the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs), the minister said children going to schools will be required to maintain social distancing in classrooms. “Once the pandemic ends, all children will be allowed to go to school,” he added. The minister also reminded people that while Covid-19 cases had reduced in the province, the pandemic had not ended yet. Ghani further said the government will speed up the process of recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in the education department. Courtesy: Published at The News on March 1, 2021