Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Monday has announced to close educational institutes across the country for one month due to increasing cases of coronavirus. The decision was taken during the ongoing Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) convened to discuss school closures, chaired by Shafqat Mahmood.

"All ministers have mutually decided that to keep all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, and tuition centers closed. However, online classes will continue from November 26 to December 24 after which winter break will start. Schools will reopen on January 11, 2021," the education minister said while addressing a press conference after the meeting.

Shafqat said that the safety and health of pupils is the top priority of the government. He also announced that all examinations, except for a few professional exams, will be postponed. The micro-decisions regarding the examination and other related matters will be taken by the provincial education authorities.