ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to take examinations of all students this year under Coronavirus SOPs.

This important decision was taken at a meeting of inter-provincial education ministers chaired by Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood.

The meeting decided that the examinations of 10 and 12 classes would be held in the third week of June.

The minister said the NCOC meeting has decided not to promote the student this year and exams will be conducted from June 20.

The NCOC meeting decided that summer vacation will be shorter this year and the decision will be taken by provinces. It has been decided that the 10th and 12t class examinations will be held in the third week of June.

In case of delay in results, the universities will admit students on the basis of Provisional Certificate and the decisions will be made by the provinces.

The Inter-Ministerial Conference of National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) was chaired by Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood and education ministers of all provinces attended the meeting via a video link along with the health authorities.

Earlier, Shafqat Mehmood said that the NCOC had allowed them to conduct professional exams. He said that if all arrangements were satisfactory permission would be given promptly. The education minister Twitted: "Please apply to the Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Islamabad with details of exam centres, number of students and SOPs to be followed.

On Wednesday, the NCOC issued new coronavirus guidelines for the country and allowed schools in districts with less than a 5% coronavirus positivity ratio to be reopened.

NCOC Head and Planning Minister Asad Umar presided over the meeting while Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, provincial chief secretaries, and other members of authorities were also in attendance. NNI