Primary schools across Bangladesh have reopened after around one month of closure. Students were seen going to schools in the capital in the morning (August 14, 2024). All government primary schools under eight city corporation areas of the country were declared closed for an indefinite period on July 17 amid tension over students’ demonstrations for quota reform. August 15 public holiday canceled

Due to the ongoing severe heatwave, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced the closure of all government primary schools, child welfare trust schools, and learning centers under the education bureau until Thursday. Senior Information Officer of the ministry, Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, signed the notification on Monday, emphasising that the decision was made to ensure the health and safety of children. Additionally, educational activities at all institutions below the secondary level and vocational educational institutions in Dhaka, Chuadanga, Jashore, Khulna, and Rajshahi districts were suspended for Monday. Guidelines issued for primary schools reopening tomorrow amid heatwave A separate notice from the Education Ministry, signed by MA Khayer, public relations officer, was issued on Sunday following consultations with the Health Ministry and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. However, educational institutions equipped with air conditioning were allowed to remain open. Despite the ongoing heatwave, which began in the first week of April, schools and colleges had initially resumed classes on Sunday after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and their subsequent extension due to the heat. Primary schools conducted classes on Monday since no directive had been issued by the concerned authorities until Sunday night. This reopening came even though there has been no significant relief from the heatwave, raising concerns among parents, particularly those with young children. Heat wave: Assembly at all govt primary schools suspended Originally, schools and colleges were set to reopen on April 21 after the Eid holidays, but the persistent extreme temperatures prompted authorities to extend the closure until April 27. The Ministry has advised parents and guardians to stay informed through official updates as the situation develops.

The recent spurt in Covid-19 cases has forced the government to extend the closure of primary schools and kindergartens until May 29 to protect the students from virus infection. The decision was taken Sunday, said a handout from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. But classes will continue online during the closure, it said. Read: Bangladesh extends lockdown until May 23 Students have to abide by health guidelines and regulations issued from time to time by the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Division, Ministry of Public Administration and Health Services Department. The government also extended the closure of secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions until May 29. Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh recorded 363 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours until Sunday morning as the number of sample tests declined drastically since the beginning of Eid holidays. Only 5,430 samples were tested during the period. The number was much higher before the Eid-ul-Fitr. Besides, the country recorded 25 deaths, taking the death toll to 12,149, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Read: Bangladesh sees only 363 new Covid cases as sample testing falls amid Eid The mortality rate rose to 1.56 percent from Saturday’s 1.55 percent while the infection rate is 6.69 percent. So far, 7,80,159 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country. The government has extended the ongoing lockdown until May 23 considering the overall situation.  

Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Akram Al-Hossain said no decision has been taken over reopening schools as a suitable situation is yet to be created.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has prepared a guideline for running schools maintaining proper health protocols amid the risk of coronavirus infections.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain on Sunday said the schools of the country will not be reopened until the Covid-19 situation gets normal and the safety of children is ensured.

The government has planned to spend Tk 2836.96 billion for education sector over the next three fiscal years under a mid-term plan as it has given utmost importance to building skilled manpower to be equipped with modern knowledge of science and technology.

There will be no Primary Education Completion (PEC) and its equivalent Ebtedayee examination for 2020 and the students will be promoted to the next class through class assessment instead.

The government has increased the budgetary allocation for the education sector as the two ministries concerned will get Tk 66,400 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, which is higher by some Tk 5,282 crore than the allocation in the actual budget for 2019-20 fiscal year.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Bangladesh are working together to distribute food rations among nearly 3 million primary school children across Bangladesh, especially those who are missing out on their school meals due to school closures caused by the spread of the Coronavirus.