Educational institutions closure extended till 12 June

The government has extended the ongoing closure of educational institutions till 12 June amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Education Minister Dipu Moni made the disclosure in a virtual briefing today.

"The closure of has been extended till 12 June. All secondary and higher secondary institutions will be reopened after that. We have taken necessary preparations. We will be able to take classes in the classrooms," she added. 

In the face of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the government shut all educational institutions on 17 March last year to contain the spread of the virus.

Later the shutdown of educational institutions was extended by the ministry for several times following the suggestions of the National Advisory Committee on Covid-19.

Though, the education ministry was thinking of fully reopening schools and colleges in May this year, but it could not due to the rising trend of virus infections and deaths.

Besides, universities had planned to resume in-person classes from 24 May this year after vaccinating residential students and teachers, but the education ministry extended the time of closure due to the rising trend of Covid-19 infections in the country.

Amid concerns over the coronavirus, the education ministry last year promoted students to the next level without holding major public examinations, but it does not want to repeat that procedure again.

But the education ministry is firm in its decision about holding the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams this year.

Besides, experts have suggested that the government must formulate a two-year or three-year plan for learning recovery that will include basic topics from Bangla and mathematics for primary students, and Bangla, mathematics, English and science for secondary level students.