Closure of Educational Institutions Extended till Feb 14

The ongoing closure of all educational institutions for coronavirus pandemic has been extended again till February 14.

In a circular on Friday, the Education Ministry said that the decision will be effective for all educational institutions, except the Qawmi madrasas, reports media.

The government ordered the high schools and colleges earlier on January 22 to plan for in-person reopening with steps to protect students, teachers and coronavirus support staff in the midst of the pandemic.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education wrote to the heads of the institutions to complete the preparations within February 4 so that they can restart anytime amid the coronavirus crisis.

The government shut schools and educational institutions on March 17 last year after the country confirmed its first Covid-19 cases on March 8. The closure was extended several times, most recently until Jan 30 this year.

Friday’s circular said the closure has been extended to protect the students from the coronavirus infection.

During this extended period, students will remain at home.

Bangladesh’s coronavirus caseload stood at 533,953 on Thursday with 8,087 fatalities – a mortality rate of 1.51pc. So far, 478,546 patients – 89.62pc – have recovered.