The government once again has extended the ongoing holidays of all educational institutions until November 14 in order to lessen the spread of Covid-19.
After this time, the government will consider reopening of educational institutions on a limited scale, by maintaining health safety measures.
Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni made the announcement at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
She said, “We are thinking about reopening of educational institutions on a limited scale considering the interest of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinees of 2021. We are also thinking about it for other students for a short period of time. However, everything will depend on coronavirus situation.”
Replying to a query, Dr Dipu Moni said “The government is also thinking about reopening colleges for class XI students. We will observe the overall situation in next two weeks. After that, we will decide whether it is possible to reopen educational institutions on a limited scale.”
The education minister also urged the authorities concerned of the educational institutions to refrain from taking unnecessary fees from guardians during the closure of the institutions.
Dipu Moni said, “There has been a dispute between many guardians and educational institutions over tuition fees. Even after the closure of educational institutions, many institutions are charging various fees according to their wish. For this reason, a guideline will be issued in this regard.”
“Various fees including sports, milad-mahfil and lab fees must be canceled when the educational institution is closed. And, the school authorities can take other fees needed for operating the institutions,” she added.
Besides, no textbook festival will be held next year and steps will be taken to reach the books to the students in time, she said.
About the admission process, she said, “The Covid-19 case may rise in December-January. Any decision on admission to schools will be informed later.”
“Everything will be decided keeping in mind the coronavirus situation. Besides, the 4th year students under the National University who have already sat for five examinations can’t be evaluated without taking examinations as they will represent themselves as job seekers and this will also be kept in our mind,” she added.
Replying to another query about the rescheduling of SSC examinations of 2021, the minister said, “Hope, it won't require. However, everything depends on the Covid-19 situation.”
Deputy Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Secretary of the Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education Md Mahbub Hossain, Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Aminul Islam Khan, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Syed Md. Golam Faruk and Chairmen of different Education Boards, were present at the conference.
Meanwhile, to reduce the losses of education, the government has been running a distant-learning program through Sangsad Television for schools and colleges. Classes are also taking place on Facebook and YouTube for primary and secondary-level students as well.
Many universities have also started online classes to keep up with their coursework.
Earlier, the government ordered all the schools, colleges and universities across the country to close down on March 17, after the first case of Covid-19 in Bangladesh was reported on March 8.
Since then, the closure has been extended several times, with the latest one issued on October 29.
