Private school association representatives Tuesday called upon Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood and raised with him the issue of reopening the institutes closed down to protect children from deadly Covid-19.

During the meeting, the minister kept insisting on school reopening only on September 15, saying: “The government took the step to keep the schools shut till September 15 after due consideration.”

He added: “We won’t let children catch coronavirus. We can’t put the lives of our children at risk. Reopening schools in August is out of question and any such attempt will be tantamount to challenging the state writ. ” 

However, the minister hinted at reviewing the matter at the meeting of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

Shafqat is likely to meet all reps of private school bodies soon to moot the matter.