Decision on 3-day online class at next Cabinet meeting: Education minister

A decision on measures for educational institutions in response to the global fuel crisis will be taken at the next cabinet meeting this week, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said today (5 April).

Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat, the minister said an action plan to save electricity in educational institutions is being prepared and will be finalised at the meeting, according to media reports.

The decision will determine whether classes will be held through a blended system of physical and online teaching or if other measures will be introduced.

He said the Ministry of Education will hold discussions with stakeholders before placing the proposal at the cabinet meeting.

"After the cabinet meeting, the Cabinet Division will brief the media. Until then, we have nothing further to say," he added.

The next cabinet meeting is likely to be held on 9 April.

At the previous cabinet meeting on Thursday (2 April), it was decided that the Ministry of Education would present a proposal on implementing electricity-saving measures in educational institutions after consulting stakeholders, according to a fact sheet issued on Friday (3 April).

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani said at a press briefing that the ministry would issue separate instructions for educational institutions after further discussions, while ensuring that academic activities are not disrupted.

The ministry is considering holding classes six days a week under a blended model, with three days of online classes and three days of in-person teaching on an alternating basis.

Teachers would remain physically present even during online classes, while practical sessions would be conducted in person.

However, primary school teachers have expressed concern that conducting online classes effectively in government primary schools may be difficult.