The federal government on Monday has decided to reopen colleges and universities from September 15 after five months of closure due to coronavirus lockdown.

In this regard, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani said all educational institutes were to open between September 15 and 30.

All classes starting Grade 9 and up, as well as all universities, would reopen from Sept 15, while Grade 6-8 classes would resume by Sept 22, Ghani said, adding, however, that pre-primary and primary classes would reopen on Sept 30.

The provincial minister warned that the schools in any area that may witness a rise in the number of coronavirus cases would be closed.

The decision was made during a meeting of the IPEMC presided over by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood in the capital. All the provincial education ministers attended the meeting through video link.

Punjab’s Education Minister, Murad Raas has announced the reopening schedule for schools. He has directed all schools to allow only 50% of students in one day.

Wearing masks, practicing social distancing and using sanitizer has been made compulsory for all students, teachers and staff members. Students with flu or cough will not be allowed on campus.

Failure to comply with the SOPs will result in fines for the schools.

Earlier, the federal government had issued a SOPs that schools will have to follow. These include: