All primary level schools in Pakistan, the second worst affected country by the novel coronavirus in South Asia in terms of the number of cases, has reopened on September 30, reports Radio Pakistan.
Kids wearing facemasks attend their schools across the country. They have even maintained social distancing in classes on the first day of schools after a long hiatus over the covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier on September 29, the country’s Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced the decision of reopening primary schools while briefing the media in the capital Islamabad.
His announcement was well in line with the decision of reopening primary schools taken by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).
The center had earlier taken the decision after having consultation with all provincial authorities.
At the Briefing, the Education Minister said, ‘since educational institutions reopened on September 15, 171,436 coronavirus tests were carried out in the education sector. Of these, 1,284 came back positive which is less than one per cent.’
Though schools have reopened amid the ongoing pandemic, pre-cautions, tough operation guidelines and actions against institutions breaking the guidance are indeed in place for the safely of young students, added the minister.
According to local media outlet the Dawn Online, there are now at least 312,263 cases of infections including 6,479 dead in Pakistan, though at least 296,881 patients have already recovered from the illness as of September 30.
