UNICEF supports safe reopening of 300 high schools in Balochistan
Education Desk:
QUETTA: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) supported the safe reopening of 300 government-run high schools in Balochistan amid fears of a second-wave of COVID19. UNICEF provided thermal-gun, masks, soaps, sanitizers, first aid-kits to school administrations, Naqeebullah Khilji, the Program Chief of a UNICEF funded program said.
Balochistan government had launched phase-wise reopening of government-run primary, middle and high schools from September 15th in the province after containing the coronavirus. Pakistan had closed all educational institutions earlier this year in the aftermath of the deadly virus globally.
“Major reason behind supporting the safe reopening of schools is containing the deadly virus”, Mr. Khilji said. The Balochistan government had also established committees on the district level comprising officers from district administration, education, and health to cope with any emergency situation in educational institutions.
Educational Institutions reported 774 cases of COVID19
“So far, educational institutions reported 774 cases of COVID19”, Waseem Baig, the Spokesman Corona Cell Balochistan said. The government has strictly directed the school administrators to follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to tackle the deadly virus.
UNICEF had also sensitized teachers and students with regard to the deadly virus. “UNICEF supported the education department to train over 2,000 teachers in Balochistan”, Naqeebullah Khilji informed.
The UNICEF provided protective equipment to government-run schools in district Quetta, Pishin, Kech, Loralai, Harnai, Dukki, Surab, and other districts of Balochistan. The UN agency has also allocated a budget for the aforesaid schools to purchase protective equipment to tackle the deadly virus.
8,188 Schools have no toilet facility in Balochistan
“Number of coronavirus cases are on a constant rise in educational institutions”, Waseem Baig said. In Balochistan, the number of government-run primary, middle and high schools is over 14,000. Most of the schools across Balochistan are deprived of basic facilities. Sher Khan Bazai, the Secretary of education Balochistan revealed that 8,188 schools across the province have no toilet facility.
UNICEF supports safe reopening of 300 high schools in Balochistan
1 comment