KARACHI: 14, SEPTEMBER, 2020: Educational institutions across Sindh will begin reopening from tomorrow in phases with standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government to contain coronavirus outbreak.

Students will join the classes ensuring social distancing while wearing masks for teachers, students and the other staff of the schools has been declared mandatory.

They are also advised to sanitize their hands from time to time.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Imran Khan in his twitter post said they will welcome millions of children back to school tomorrow as the educational institutions across the country that were shut on March 13 in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus are set to reopen in phases.

In a Twitter post this morning, the Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that "Tomorrow we will welcome millions of children back to school. 

It is our priority & collective responsibility to ensure that every child can go to school safely to learn." 

"We have worked to ensure that school operations are aligned with public health safety rules on #COVID19." 

It is pertinent to mention here that, on September 7, Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) on Monday had decided to allow educational institutions to reopen universities, collages, and 9th and 10th grade from September 15.

Accrording to sources, the intra-provincial meeting of education ministers were held under the chair of Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood in which the final decision was made.

Ministers from all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir attended the conference.

During the meeting, it was decided that in first phase universities, colleges, classes of 9th and 10th will be allowed to reopen from September 15 under strict implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the govt.

In second phase, sixth to eight grade students will be allowed to return to schools from September 23.

The authorities will monitor the coronavirus situation following the resumption of classes of 9th graders onward, after which classes six to eight will be allowed to resume.

The meeting was also attended by the officials of Higher Education Commission and health department to decide the strategy and SOPs regarding the recommencement of academic sessions.

In the meeting, the ministers were apprised by the health ministry officials about the current situation of coronavirus in the country.

Matters related to the single national curriculum, examinations in 2021, and short curriculum for the current academic year were also came under discussion.

On September 11, the Sindh education department on Friday has prepared a draft of short curriculums for the students of schools and colleges for the current academic year as the provinces were heading towards reopening of educational institutes in phases from September 15 after coronavirus cases decreased in the country.

The draft of short curriculums for schools and colleges prepared by the Sindh secretary education will be introduced before reopening the educational institutions.

A notification in this regard will be issued after final approval of Sindh Education Minister. Under the prepared curriculums, the students of Class 11th and 12th (Intermediate) will be taught 30 pc course of science, mathematics and English each, while, 40 pc course outlines of science, mathematics, Sindhi, English will be followed for Class 9th and 10th (Matriculation).

In addition, 50 pc course outlines will be taught to the students of Class 6th to Class 8th (Secondary Section) for the subjects including science, mathematics and English.

Other than that, 30 pc course outlines of literacy, mathematics and general knowledge subjects will be completed for the Class 1st to Class 5th students (Primary Section).

On the other hand, the education authorities have also decided for beginning the new academic session from May 2021. (04)