The government has extended the ongoing closure of all the educational institutions of Bangladesh until June 30 considering the worsening coronavirus situation in the country.

The decision has been taken considering the safety of teachers, students and staff and imposition of lockdowns in different districts, Mohammad Abul Khayer, public relations officer of the Education Ministry, told UNB on Saturday.

Earlier on May 26, the government had decided to reopen the educational institutions, particularly primary, secondary and higher secondary ones, in the country on June 13 depending on the Covid situation. But the situation keeps worsening in the country, particularly in bordering districts.

Also read: Pros and Cons of Reopening Educational Institutions during Pandemic

Abul Khayer, however, said the online classes will continue as before.

The decision has been taken as per the directives of the National Technical Advisory Committee formed to fight Covid-19 in the country and it will remain applicable for Ebtedayee and Qawmi madrasas, too.

On March 16, last year, the government closed all the educational institutions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. No classes have been held since then.

Then the closure was extended several times, most recently until June 13, 2021.

All the students, teachers and employees have been asked to remain in their respective homes.

Also read: Assess situation before reopening educational institutions: PM

Covid situation in Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Friday registered 43 more Coronavirus-related deaths and 2,454 fresh cases in 24 hours, with the Covid situation worsening following the detection of the Delta variant in different parts of the country.

Although district administrations have imposed restrictions in most of the frontier districts to bring the situation under control, the infection and death rates are on the rise.

The latest death toll pushed up the fatalities to 13,032. The Covid-19 death toll crossed the 12,000-mark in Bangladesh on May 11.

With the new cases, the total caseload rose to 8,22,849, said the Directorate General of Health Services.

Read Schools, colleges to reopen on June 13: Dipu Moni