Govt Hopeful of Reopening Schools in December

The government is hopeful that schools will be reopened in December if the coronavirus epidemic abates by that time, said Akram-Al-Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, on Sunday.

He also said that the condition of COVID-19 in the country is not conducive to the reopening of educational institutions in September, reports the media.

"The Minister of Education said on Saturday that the situation is not yet right to reopen educational institutions. You can understand that, too, "he said.

"Even now, 20-22% of samples return positive results every day. The parents will all come if the schools are re-opened. Why should we put them at risk? And we don't think the situation is right yet.

Also read: Time Not in Favor of Opening Schools

Though several countries decided to reopen schools after a first wave of outbreaks, they were forced to shut down again after the coronavirus worsened.

"We think it is best not to put the children at risk. The two ministries must also continue talks with the government to come to a conclusion about when the schools should be reopened. The conditions for their reopening in September are not correct.

The pandemic has halted the Higher Secondary School Certificate and equivalent examinations, which were slated for April 1, while the decision on the Junior School Certificate examinations also remains pending.

The mass education ministry sent a proposal to the prime minister on August 19, asking that the Primary Education Certificate examinations be held at schools separately rather than centrally. But a decision is yet to be given on the matter, Secretary Akram said.

Most educational institutions have been taking classes online after they were closed on March 17 following the detection of the first coronavirus cases in the country.

The Government has extended the closure to 31 August many times, but it has consistently been said that schools and colleges will be reopened only after the COVID-19 situation has improved.

The estimated number of infected patients increased to 290,000, with almost 4,000 fatalities in the country as of Sunday.

On whether the academic year will be prolonged due to the pandemic, Secretary Akram said, "No. We didn't say we're going to drag this on until January-February. At a meeting with the chief secretary, we agreed that this year will be over.

 “We hope to be able to reopen the schools before December.”