Federal Ministry of Education had developed and by now have finalized a set of SOPs for meeting the daunting challenge posed by corona virus as the schools are about to open across the country from 15^th September, 2020. All educational institutes including schools, colleges, universities and madrassahs will open their gates on 15^th September, 2020. The final decision is still not made public as inter provincial meeting with all the stakeholders is scheduled on 7^th September, 2020 after which all the official decisions shall be announced in a press briefing.

Final decision rests with the National Command and Control Center (NCOC) which was purposely established to meet the challenges of these tough times. NCOC is currently headed by Federal Minister Asad Umar and a decision regarding the opening of educational institutes is expected either on 7^th or 8^th of September.

A list of Covid-19 SOPs will be shared with all the educational institutes and every institute will be bound to follow it with a strict adherence and compliance to be monitored. SOPs are as follows:

• All the students and staff members will be screened at the entrance points of the institute as per the standards of World Health Organization (WHO).
• Any of the students or even a staff members having symptoms or found to be exhibiting symptoms would immediately be taken to a nearby hospital without entering into the institute until the clarity of his/her medical condition.
• All kinds of staff in the educational institutes will wear face masks at all the times along with ensuring social distancing and washing hands or using sanitizers on a frequent basis.
• Schools will be allowed to operate in 2 different shifts with each shift not longer than 4 hours.
• No pick and drop service will be operated and parents will be made responsible for pick and drop of the students.
• Morning assemblies or any such events of gathering shall be banned until any further instructions.
• Firstly, canteens will be required to maintain a minimum staff and gathering, therefore, at least, schools shall encourage students to bring food from their home.

Federal Ministry of Education has developed these SOPs which will be further monitored by provincial educational ministries. In addition to that, all educational institutes have been advised to make the necessary arrangements for the implementation of above mentioned SOPs even if Heads of Institutes have to meet with the parents of students, they may proceed.