ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood said the government has decided to restart the education process of classes nine to twelve from Monday as per the previous announcement. 

Briefing media persons in Islamabad on Friday about the decisions taken at the National Command and Operation Center, he, however, said the closure of class one to eight has been extended for a week. He said these classes will now resume from the 1st of next month as against the earlier decision of 25th January. He said the institutions of higher education will also reopen from the 1st of next month.

The Education Minister said it has also been decided that the National Command and Operation Center will review the coronavirus situation next week and adopt a smart approach under which there is a possibility to keep the schools shut in those cities where the infection rate is comparatively high.

Shafqat Mahmood said it has also been decided that the students will not be promoted to the next class without examination.

Shafqat Mahmood said the COVID-19 has badly affected the education of our children over the last eight to nine months. He said we have tried to create a balance ensuring that the education activities continue whilst protecting the health of children.