Provinces Instructed to Keep Educational Institutions Closed till 23rd of May

In recent news, the Federal Education Ministry has ordered all the provinces in the country to make sure that educational institutions remain closed until the 23rd of May. The provincial authorities were directed to adhere to this instruction to avoid a further rise in coronavirus cases in Pakistan. 

A communique was sent to all provinces, along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir to inform them of the directives issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC). The message conveyed that these instructions will be applicable on all educational and vocational campuses, as well as seminaries, private and government institutions. 

The Ministry also asked the relevant authorities to monitor and ensure that the restrictions introduced by the NCOC are being followed in letter and spirit. 

On the 8th of May, the NCOC, which is the nerve center in Pakistan to control the coronavirus pandemic, decided that the closure of all educational institutions in the country will be extended till the 23rd of May. This step was taken after carefully considering the ongoing trends of the deadly disease in Pakistan. However, an additional review will be conducted at the next meeting of the NCOC, which has been scheduled for the 18th of May. 

Asad Umar, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, as the Chief of NCOC, took to explaining the recent tightening of restrictions in the country set up by the center. He added that the government is aware that these stricter guidelines will be a source of inconvenience for many. 

On the other hand, the Minister stated, that these have been made necessary to the deadly and dangerous situation that has surfaced in the country. He referred to the spread of the various mutations of the coronavirus, saying how important it is that these restrictions be put in place to limit movement. 

In the last few days of the previous month, the NCOC, made an announcement revealing a new set of guidelines. It also placed a blanket ban on the country’s tourism and halted the movement of inter-provincial transport. Both these restrictions were placed to prevent an even greater rise in the steadily rising cases of the coronavirus cases in the country. These instructions are also a part of the NCOC’s Stay Home, Stay Safe strategy.