A recent upward trend in daily coronavirus infection rate could force the government to keep educational institutions shut longer than expected.

The educational institutions across the country are likely to remain shut for more days as a favourable environment has not been created yet to reopen those.    But no concrete decision has been made on the duration of the closure of educational institutions, said an official of the Education Ministry.    When asked, Akram Al-Hossain, senior secretary to the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, said no decision was taken on extension of holidays.    “The decision will be made in accordance with the suggestion of the technical committee and in consultation with the Education Ministry,” he added.   The government announced general holidays in late March in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and shut all educational institutions. 

Amid increasing coronavirus cases and apprehensions that the situation may deteriorate in upcoming winter, the authorities concerned in Bangladesh are in a fix about whether to reopen educational institutions that may expose the children to the virus.

The government will not extend the ongoing general holidays, aimed at curbing the transmission of coronavirus, beyond May 30, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB on Wednesday.