Islamabad, Nov 6 (IANS): The Pakistan government has decided not to close down educational institutions as the coronavirus positivity rate in the institutions remained "scarcely 1 to 2 per cent".

The decision was taken on Thursday following the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC), helmed by federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood via video link, reports Dawn news.

The provinces shared data of positivity rate of virus cases in schools and colleges which ranged between 1 and 2 per cent scarcely, "hence the forum was satisfied with the controlled situation in educational institutions" an Education Ministry spokesperson said.

"It was agreed that the targeted closure of institutions where the infection rate increases would be carried out with the help of local administration," an official statement said, adding that the forum opposed long winter vacations and recommended that there should be either no vacations or these be limited to a few days so that students could cover their courses.

Educational institutions across the country had reopened in September after six months' closure.

However, due to a resurgence of Covid-19, the forum discussed the issue but decided not to close the institutions.