KARACHI: A meeting of the Steering Committee approved the recommendations of the sub-committee to promote students of class IX to XII in the next classes without examinations here on Tuesday.
The teaching process in public and private educational institutions across Sindh will be started considering the situation of corona virus in the province. However, if private schools want, they can start online classes and call teachers and non-teaching staff. However, they will have to fully comply with the SOPs issued by the Department of Health and the WHO.
A sub-committee of the steering committee has been formed on the concerns raised by private schools over the promotion of students in grades one to eight, which will not only address these concerns but also formulate a plan for the next academic year. Compile and submit its proposals for comprehensive implementation of all SOPs within a week before opening and reopening of educational institutions.
According to details, a meeting of the steering committee of Sindh Education Department was held at Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Education Secretary Syed Khalid Haider Shah, Secretary Colleges Sindh Baqir Naqvi, Secretary Universities Muhammad Riaz-ud-Din, Steering Committee members Tanzeela Uma Habiba, Rabia Azfar Nizami, Educationist Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Dr Fauzia, Chairmen of all boards. Chairmen of All Private Schools Associations and others also attended the meeting.
At the meeting, all the members of the steering committee were apprised of the minutes of the last meeting and its approval was sought. The recommendations of the sub-committee made by the steering committee at the last meeting It was prepared for the promotion of the next parties and it was approved. On this occasion, the members of the steering committee expressed some reservations, after which it was decided that the students who fail in 2 papers will be given marks in view of the marks of their other subjects. However, more subjects will be given. Only 33% passing marks will be given to children who fail. At the meeting, the students who wanted to take the exams for improvement were given two options: if they want improvement in the subjects in which they want to be given 3% extra marks and if they do not want to. They will then be given the opportunity to take the test but no date has been set for it as this is not possible in the current Corona virus situation. The meeting raised some concerns over the promotion of children in classes I to VIII by private schools, on which the provincial minister has constituted a seven-member steering committee comprising members of these private schools. Representatives have also been included. The committee will compile its report not only on the promotion of these private schools from Class I to VIII, but also on the new academic year, as well as on the opening of schools and if the schools are reopened. The SOPs will also submit a report within a week after compiling a full report. Regarding the opening of schools by private schools, it was decided in the meeting that all private schools can start online classes if they want, however, the teaching system in schools will not be allowed and they will not be able to invite children there. Private schools will be able to call in their teachers and non-teaching staff if they wish, but for that they will have to fully implement the SOPs issued by the Department of Health and the WHO. SOPs will be provided to them by private schools within a week.
The meeting also decided that parents should pay the fees of private schools so that the teachers of these schools and their expenses can be met. On the occasion, Education Minister Saeed Ghani said that we try our best to ensure that all the steps taken for education in the province are taken under the auspices of the steering committee so that the views of all stakeholders are included in it. He said that we have taken steps to improve the quality of education in the province and work has also been started for the training of teachers. “We have also launched a mobile application for online education for children, and more work is being done with Microsoft and others,” he said
