The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Education Department, on Monday, has announced the closure of six more education institutes in the province as surging cases of COVID-19 culminate in the region. 

Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Shahram Khan Tarakai announced that schools in Abbottabad, Haripur, Bajaur, Khyber, Dir-upper, and Shangla will remain closed till April 11.

He said educational institutions in 16 districts of the province have been closed till now. “The health of children is our priority,” he maintained.

On March 24, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood had announced that educational institutions will remain closed in virus hotspots of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Kashmir till April 11.

He said the announcements about continuing the school’s closure or their re-opening will be done in the upcoming meetings, referring to the COVID-19 situations in the locality. 

“Board exams for class nine and above will be held as per schedule in May and June,” he added.