He was speaking at a press conference at the Bangladesh Secretariat over preparations for celebrating International Literacy Day.
Akram Al Hossain, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, said annual examinations at the primary level will not be held if the schools fail to reopen due to the pandemic.
"It’s not clear yet when it will be possible to reopen educational institutions. However, two short syllabuses have been prepared and finalized as part of preparations should schools open in October or November," he said.
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He said the students will be promoted to the next class by class evaluation upon completion of the syllabuses when the schools reopen.
"It's not possible to hold exams and evaluate if schools don’t reopen, there will be no way left other than auto-promotion. However, the decision will be made depending on the situation," he added.