The educational institutions in the country may finally reopen from the second week of February after months of lockdown in a phased manner.
The high command of the government will issue a directive in this regard tomorrow (Sunday), sources said.
Educational institutions have been shut since March to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
A plan will be made on how to reopen the educational institutions and start classes for SSC candidates in short syllabus during the Covid-19 period.
The plan will be sent to the educational institutions through the field officers as soon as possible.
This information was revealed by the virtual joint meeting of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on Thursday (January 21).
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and senior officials from the two ministries, were present at the meeting.
According to the sources, it has been decided to reopen the educational institutions. Schools, colleges and universities at all levels may be reopened in February.
However, classes will start for this year's SSC, HSC and their equivalent candidates. The short syllabus will be completed from February to April. Classes for students of all other levels will start in phases.
In this regard, instructions will be sent to clean all the educational institutions of the country. Teachers will also be instructed to attend regular educational institutions from next Sunday.
It was learned that discussions have been held on how to implement the hygiene rules prepared by the two ministries following the guidelines of the World Health Organization.
Education Minister Dipu Moni has verbally approved the short syllabus prepared for SSC candidates. It has been asked to finalise the syllabus.
State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain said, “We have discussed about the preparations for the reopening of the educational institutions. The two ministries have also discussed about the re-opening plan.”
Asked when the educational institution would be opened, he said, “We are thinking of reopening schools from next February. However, no final decision has been taken yet. After the opening of the educational institutions, a plan will be prepared to ensure hygiene and teaching rules will be sent to all the schools through the field level officials. Following that, the teachers will conduct the class.”
He also said that primary and secondary level educational institutions will be reopened simultaneously.
Contacted, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, Prof Syed Md Golam Faruq, told The Bangladesh Post, “How the government will reopen educational institutions has been discussed at the meeting. The education minister has given several instructions in this regard. It will be implemented soon.”
Earlier, a survey of ‘Education Watch’ was placed before the education ministry.
According to the survey, about 76 percent parents want their children to return to school by ensuring hygiene while 75 percent students agree to reopen schools within the shortest possible time.
Besides, 62 percent teachers have agreed to shorten the current syllabus to conduct educational activities, the survey read.
The survey was conducted among 2,952 individuals from 8 districts of eight divisions and two city corporations in Dhaka. Among them, some 1,709 students, 578 teachers and 576 guardians participated in the survey.
Of the students, only 31.5 percent students could take part in television, radio and online based distance learning programmes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Thus, most of the students-parents have expressed their views in favor of re-opening the educational institutions as early as possible.