Peshawar - The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Department has closed schools in six more districts of the province for surge in COVID-19 cases.

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

He said educational institutions in 16 districts of the province had 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 would remain closed in virus hotspots of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir till April 11.

He said the provincial governments would decide whether to keep schools closed or open in light of the number of infections. “Board exams for class nine and above will be held as per schedule in May and June,” he added.