Appellate Division stays HC order on Ramadan school closure

The chamber court of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh today (16 February) stayed a High Court order that directed the closure of government and non-government lower secondary and secondary schools during the holy month of Ramadan.

Justice Farah Mahbub passed the stay order after hearing an appeal filed by the state challenging the directive issued by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court.

The chamber judge ordered a stay "until filing of the regular leave to appeal petition."

Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque moved the plea on behalf of the government.

Yesterday (15 February), a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Md Ashif Hasan ordered the closure of government and non-government lower secondary and secondary schools from 18 February in observance of Ramadan.

The court, however, directed that any scheduled examinations must be held on time. The order was issued alongside a rule after hearing a public interest writ petition.

Supreme Court lawyer Md Ilias Ali Mondol filed the writ petition on 20 January, seeking a directive to shut lower secondary and secondary schools during Ramadan.

Before filing the petition, on 5 January, he had served legal notices on the secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on the same issue.

He argued that the move violated Articles 31 and 152(1) of the constitution.

In his petition, Mondol argued that keeping schools open during Ramadan places physical strain on students, who spend long hours commuting and attending classes, making it difficult for them to observe fasting.

He also cited severe traffic congestion in cities during the month, saying it will cause significant hardship for residents.