ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to close schools across the country from 1st to 8th till Eid and reopen educational institutions from 9th to 12th with strict SOPs from tomorrow.

In a series of tweets, the education minister said the decision, among others, had been taken in a special meeting of health and education ministers from the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

It was also decided with complete consensus among ministers that A, AS, O level and IGCSE exams will take place as per date sheet announced by CAIES. There will be no delay or cancellation. Those students wishing to take exams in Oct/Nov can do so in the same fee already paid

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 18, 2021

He said exams for class 9th and 12th will take place according to the new date sheets announced by the Boards.

The Minister said classes 9 to 12 would commence in affected districts in a staggered manner to allow students to prepare for Board exams. He said university admissions schedule will be adjusted keeping in view the new exam time table

Meeting was also informed that Cambridge has decided not to give teacher assessed grades this year therefore those not taking exams will take them in the next cycle Oct/Nov. Cambridge also assured that all SOPs will be strictly followed

— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) April 18, 2021

He said it was also decided with complete consensus among ministers that A, AS, O level and International General Certificate of Secondary Education exams will take place as per date sheet announced by CAIES. He said there will be no delay or cancellation. He said those students wishing to take exams in October or November this year can do so in the same fee already paid.

Shafqat Mahmood said the meeting was also informed that Cambridge has decided not to give teacher assessed grades this year therefore those not taking exams will take them in the next cycle of October and November. He said Cambridge also assured that all SOPs will be strictly followed.

The Minister said universities in affected districts will continue online while in districts with less than eight percent positivity they will continue to function.