Punjab Education Minister Murad Raas said that schoolchildren in Punjab will be promoted to the next class based on their homework grades, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He also added that Punjab Board exams, which are held in March, will now be conducted in May and June 2021. The minister also said that while schools will remain closed, teachers will have to go to schools twice a week, i.e. on Mondays and Thursdays.

Regarding the closure of schools, Murad Raas said that he is not in favour of closing schools.

"If schools are being closed to protect children, then parks, shopping malls, and other recreational places should also be closed as well," he said.

Punjab Education Minister said Punjab gave a proposal that school closure notifications should make it clear that students will not be allowed to attend malls, public parks, markets and other public events.

“It is not at all appropriate for students to go for walks in public places during school holidays,’ he added.

“These holidays are being given for the protection of students and teachers only,” Murad Raas said.

“50 percent of teachers in schools will come one day while the remaining 50e will come on the second day of the week,” he said while sharing the attendance formulae of teachers.

“Exams for students from Class I to VIII will be held in March while this time students will be given homework to do during the holidays.”

“50 percent grading for promotion in next class of students will be done according to the results of homework given to them,” Dr Murad Raas said.

He said examinations for ninth to twelfth-grade students are suggested to be held in the month of May or June.

“If we will not be careful, the spread of the coronavirus can reach to a dangerous level,” the Punjab Education Minister said.

“The decision to grant leave will apply to all educational institutions and all private academies will also be closed during the holidays,” he added.