Not unlike most other countries, Covid-19 has impacted every sector in Pakistan and the education sector is no different. So far, all classes in schools and universities have been suspended without any confirmed opening dates announced. The local secondary and higher-secondary school examinations have been postponed till June and July respectively. However, Cambridge International’s May/June session of GCE and IGCSE have been cancelled and Cambridge International has come up with a mechanism to grade its students. [1]

Since the closure of campuses, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has instructed Universities to develop a strategy for online teaching within two weeks. Most of the institutions had essential components for online classes like Learning Management System (LMS) in place. Therefore, they were required to ensure all students and faculty owned LMS IDs. Some private schools and most universities have successfully transitioned to different models of distance learning to varying degrees of success so far. In order to make it more effective, private schools have sought special permission from the government to let their teachers visit the school premises. Some universities have announced that the new enrolment cycle will be postponed and new dates for admission will be announced once the university exams are conducted. Distant learning is still a new concept for schools compared to universities. Schools have started exploring online tools like Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Moodle and Power Bi, etc.

Earlier this month, the government decided to launch a national TV channel in collaboration with PTV (Pakistan Television) dedicated for the delivery of education to mitigate academic losses due to the closure of educational institutions in the country. It was agreed that the Student Learning Objective (SLO) based content will be developed in partnership with various education service providers free of cost, for which interest has been requested. Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) will establish emergency learning charters, where subject specialists will review and schedule the content. The channel was launched on 14 April and it is telecasted on the national TV channel. The timings are from 8 am to 5 pm and it is currently telecasting curriculum ranging from grade-1 to grade-12. [2]

The Chairman of the HEC, Dr. Tariq Banuri announced that the HEC has developed a databank of online courses available from national and international resources and shared it with universities, while university faculty have also been asked to prepare virtual courses for students. The ongoing situation which has forced people to stay at home will be adjusted with the summer holidays, however, if the situation persists, the online lectures will help avoid the educational loss of students. In the meantime, faculty members will take advantage of the break to prepare online lectures for the students to mitigate the disruption. He said, “People should be advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against the virus. This is a social responsibility of all educated persons with access to global media and expert knowledge.” He also said that people feeling ill should self-isolate and limit their contact with people. In addition, the HEC has shared guidelines related to Covid-19 for students, faculty and vice-chancellors on (www.hec.gov.pk/english/Pages/Covid-19-Guidance.aspx) .

The HEC has also, in collaboration with the government, recently invited university researchers, scientists, technicians, manufacturers and other Pakistani experts, based either in the country or abroad, to submit proposals that can assist the government in its fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. In its call for proposals, titled, “Quick-response Research on Covid-19; Rapid Research and Innovation Proposals”, the HEC has identified eight different themes regarding the treatment and prevention of Covid-19. [3]

The presence of Virtual University in these circumstances has started helping other institutes in their operations. University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore has signed an MoU with Virtual University to conduct computerised ECAT university entry tests for the coming enrolment cycle. Punjab University College of Information Technology and National University of Science and Technology (NUST) will also take the computerised online entry tests.

Even before the outbreak of Covid-19, the concept of distance learning had started finding its rightful place in the education sector of Pakistan. According to Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), a total of 1,36,7210 students were enrolled in distance learning in 2017-2018 academic year, out of which 49% were female students. The widespread usage of cellular phones has made this a reality. The much-needed digital transformation could also mean better accessibility, reaching out through technology to rural areas of Pakistan.

Pakistani universities are actively playing their supporting role in mitigating the effects of Covid-19. The first case of coronavirus was detected in Pakistan on 26 February, however in the middle of January, two scientists from NUST had already started working on its testing kit. These kits are in trial phase at the moment and will be in the market soon at one-fourth of the price of imported kits.

Punjab University has set up a specialised lab at their Centre for Applied Molecular Biology to test the samples of suspected virus patients. The university officials have claimed that once operational, this facility will provide the most economised testing option in the country. The Women University (WU) in Multan is producing low cost sanitisers in its departments of chemistry and pharmacy.

King Edward Medical University in Lahore established a Punjab Telemedicine Centre of Excellence Call Centre recently to help the general public. In this call centre, more than 30 doctors will ensure their presence 24/7. Twenty-five such telemedicine call centres have been established within a span of one month where more than 3,000 medical professionals are available round-the-clock. These call centres have eased the load on OPDs by drastically reducing the number of people visiting hospitals and other healthcare centres.

Students are playing their role by coming up with quick and useful strategies, some of which can also be implemented at low costs. Science students from all over the country have come together on a virtual network called Scientists Against COVID-19 Pakistan (SACP-19). Another group is the Student Taskforce Against Covid-19 (Stac-19) started by final year medical students at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi. This group has turned into a community of over 500 members and these members comprise not only young doctors but also non-medical students. They are working with the AKUH staff and government in “contact tracing” of Covid-19 and in identifying volunteers to work in isolation wards.

Another Karachi based group is called CombatConora and they are collecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the medical professionals. A volunteer group in Islamabad called Pakistan Against Covid-19 (Pac-V) is providing a line to those manufacturing the material as well as the suppliers of PPE kits to provide paraphernalia at nominal rates or free of cost. They have also started working on a prototype for a ventilator and a non-contact thermometer. [4]

The education sector has gone above and beyond to support Pakistan in these difficult times with some innovative responses and solutions. To know more or if you have any questions write to Khawar Abbas, Head of International Education Services at Khawar.Abbas@britishcouncil.org.pk.

[1] - https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/news/news-details/view/update-fro...
[2] - https://nation.com.pk/13-Apr-2020/pm-launches-tele-school-television-cha...
[3] - https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/RnD/RRIF/Pages/default.aspx
[4] - https://www.dawn.com/news/1543349