NSC decides to close all educational institutions till April 5

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday decided to close all educational institutions in the country till April 5 as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.

The decision was taken by the country’s top civil and military leadership at a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) presided over Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood announced on Twitter. “This includes all schools and universities, public and private, vocational institutions and madaris,” he said, adding that the situation would be reviewed by the Ministry of Education on March 27 to devise the future course of action.

In a meeting of the National Security Committee presided over PM Imran Khan, it has been decided to close all educational institutions in the country till April 5. This includes all schools and universities, public and private, vocational institutions and madaris.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 13, 2020

The situation regarding closure of all educational institutions in the country would be reviewed by the Ministry of Education on 27th March and further decisions taken.

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) March 13, 2020

Prime Minister Imran Khan called the meeting to devise a strategy to deal with coronavirus. Services chiefs including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed apart from chief ministers, top advisers and cabinet ministers attended the meeting.

“The government has convened the NSC meeting to review the situation arising out of coronavirus in the country. The government was already on alert to prevent the disease,” the prime minister had announced on Thursday while addressing a parliamentary party meeting of the ruling PTI.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic. Pakistan currently has 21 confirmed cases including 15 in Karachi and is taking measures to prevent the spread.

Punjab declared a health emergency to deal with the contagious disease, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also closed all schools for 15 days.

The Sindh government extended the school holidays till May 30 which would be treated as summer vacations. The educational institutions will reopen on June 1, while exams of classes ninth and tenth have been postponed. 

Isolation wards have been created all over Pakistan to cater to Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic

Province/Region wise No. of Designated Hospitals

ICT – 01
Punjab – 06
Sindh – 04
Baluchistan – 10
KP – 7
GB- 4
AJK – 3https://t.co/EcGPRQQ2d4 pic.twitter.com/SW1esTKdym

— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 13, 2020

According to Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, the NSC was to decide the kind of measures to be taken to deal with the situation including “refraining people from participating in public gathering”.

Earlier on Thursday, Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa chaired the a Corps Commanders’ Conference and discussed among other things preventive measures and preparedness regarding the COVID-19 virus at army level.

“The forum also discussed emerging situation with regards to the coronavirus and preventive measures taken at the military level. The COAS directed all concerned to gear up preparations in support of national effort to counter this pandemic in case of any eventuality,” said a statement issued by the military’s media wing.

Meanwhile, the federal government has established 35 isolation wards all over the country to cater to COVID-19 pandemic.