The decision on SSC, HSC, and equivalent exams will be taken soon in a scientific and controlled manner, Education Minister Dipu Moni said Wednesday. "We make decisions based on the advice of the National Advisory Committee on Covid-19," she said. Talking about the demand to reopen educational institutions, the minister said, "We cannot put the lives of students at risk now by bringing them back to classrooms when the Covid-19 situation is getting worse in the country." Also read: Bangladesh sees record high daily Covid cases of 8,822; 115 more die "The educational life of students has been turned upside down by the pandemic all over the world. However, it would be unscientific to reopen educational institutions until the infection rate drops to 5% or below that. The current test positive rate is 24% in Bangladesh; it is even 50% or more in some districts," Dipu Moni said.

Planning Minister MA Mannan on Wednesday said the government will accelerate its efforts to support journalists and ensure the security of their lives.