Regular classes: Saeed Ghani says Shafqat Mehmood’s announcement 'creating confusion'

KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani on Sunday said that the decision announced by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood regarding the resumption of 5-day regular classes from March 1 (Monday) is "creating confusion among the students."

Speaking to the media, Saeed Ghani said that as per the decision taken by the provincial government, schools will allow 50% attendance, adding that the government "cannot allow 100% attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic."

Emphasising the importance of following the coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs), the minister added that children going to school will be required to maintain social distancing in the classroom.

"How will children maintain social distancing if we allow 100 % attendance?" Ghani questioned, "Once the pandemic end, all children will be allowed to go to school."

He said that even though the federal education minister has allowed 100% attendance across schools, the Sindh Education Department has its own steering committee responsible for taking provincial decisions.

"The decision to reopen schools was also taken by the committee," he said,

The minister also reminded people that while COVID-19 cases have reduced in the province, the pandemic has not ended yet.