Educational institutions closure extended for 2 more weeks

The government has extended the closure time of all educational institutions for two more weeks after 6 February as per advice of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 as the country battles with the Omicron variant.

"The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 has advised for keeping educational institutions closed for a few more days," Education Minister Dipu Moni said in a video message on Wednesday.

Considering the upward trend of coronavirus infections in the country, the Cabinet Division had closed all educational institutions from 21 January to 6 February.

"I hope that all people will follow the guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infection at all educational institutions and the students will come back to school soon," she said.

"The ministry will issue a notice soon in this regard," Abul Khair, public relations officer of the education ministry, told The Business Standard.

Bangladesh reported 36 more Covid deaths and 12,193 new cases in the last 24 hours till 8am Wednesday with a positivity rate of 27.43% as 44,451 samples were tested across the country.

The education ministry will strengthen its monitoring to implement the World Health Organisation's and the health ministry's guidelines to prevent Covid-19 infection at all educational institutions. 

Earlier a circular was issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, SSC candidates of 2022 will attend classes on four subjects every day of the week. 

Tenth graders will attend classes on three subjects, eighth and ninth graders on three subjects twice a week, and sixth and seventh graders on three subjects once a week.

The education ministry data shows, there are over 4.5 crore students from pre-primary to higher education levels. Of them, 1.16 crore students are aged 12-18 and about 44 lakh students are studying at higher educational institutions.

As many as 1.40 crore students aged above 12 received 1st dose of vaccines out of 1.60 crores while 25 lakh got the two doses. 

Almost all the teachers have received vaccines. A few of the teachers are yet to get vaccinated due to various difficulties, she added.