The Education Ministry has now proposed closing down the educational institutes from November 24 to stem the spread of deadly coronavirus that has already affected thousands of Pakistanis, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The ministry has proposed the closing of educational institutions keeping in view the soaring coronavirus cases in the country, however the final decision will be taken in an Inter-Provincial Education Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held on November 23 (Monday) with subject to approval from National Command and Control Centre (NCOC).

The TV channel reported that the education ministry has suggested this in the wake of the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases in educational institutions.

Earlier, Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas has announced that schools will remain open as no decision has been made on closure of schools in Punjab.

In a tweet, the education minister said: “Next meeting will be on Monday 23rd November 2020 for further review of the COVID 19 situation. All options are being discussed. No immediate decision for now.”

On the other hand, Balochistan Education Minister Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind has said that the suggestion of closing educational institutions for winter vacations from December 1 in chiller areas is under consideration.

Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind said he apprised Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood of details about institutions in the inter-provincial meeting of education ministers.

He said the decisions to extend winter vacations up to three months and to add fifteen holidays this year as compared to the past are also under consideration.