The government has not taken any decision to reopen schools, colleges and universities amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, sources said.
However, the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations will be published tomorrow (on Sunday, March 31).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will announce the results through a videoconference from Ganabhaban at 10:00 am on Sunday, said Mohammad Abul Khair, public relations officer of the Education Ministry.
He also said that Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni will reveal the detail information about the results at 12 pm through a Facebook live programme.
The education ministry also requested the journalists not to go to the result announcing place as all documents regarding SSC and equivalents will be sent through e-mail.
Contacted, Mahbubur Rahman, secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Divison, told Bangladesh Post, “Now, we have given priority to students’ health than education. Considering the safety of everyone, decision will be taken whether the educational institutions would remain closed or will reopen.”
He also said, “We don't know when the coronavirus pandemic will go from the country. Therefore, no decision has been taken so far on reopening of educational institutions across the country. During the time of school closure, we are broadcasting classes on television to keep the students active.”
About the SSC results, he said, “Students will be able to know the results through SMS. They do not have to go to schools to know the results. More details will be given on the website about the results.”
A total of 2,047,779 students – 1,024,363 males and 1,023,416 females -- participated in the examinations this year at 3,512 centres from 28,884 educational institutions.
All educational institutions have been shut since March 17 to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
On March 16, the government closed all educational institutes and no classes have been held since that day.
Meanwhile, public administration division on Thurday issued a gazette notification that all the educational institutions will remain closed until June 15.
The general holidays were announced in March to halt the transmission of coronavirus and were extended till May 30 in phases as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths rose.
Bangladesh on Friday reported 2,523 new coronavirus cases with 23 more deaths.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 42,844 and deaths at 582.