Staff Reporter :
All Educational institutions will reopen on June 13 subject to the fall of the Covid-19 infection rate below 5%, Education Minister said on Saturday.
Dr Dipu Moni said it while speaking at a discussion on the late Abdul Matin Khasru, a former law minister, at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The coronavirus infection rate in the last 24 hours to Saturday morning stands at 7.91% after 13,184 tests conducted. The overall infection rate in the country is currently 13.48%. She said, guardians are urgin us to shut down the school and colleges. They are anxious about their children.
Education minister said, Eid journey has perhaps accelerated the transmission of Covid-19. At this situation, reopening of the educational institutions would be an unwise decision.
Dipu Moni said necessary measures for the reopening of educational institutions are already in sight, but they have been kept closed as per the recommendations of health experts.
“Experts have said that it would not be wise to reopen educational institutions until the Covid-19 infection rate drops below 5%. We have given directives to the authorities concerned to prepare for the reopening of educational institutions if the infection rate reaches that level,” she added.
She further said: “The institutions will not reopen under the pressure of any movement, as we are getting numerous requests to keep them shut rather than opening now.
“We have consulted various stakeholders and most people want to keep educational institutions closed than reopening them. Parents want to keep educational institutions closed to protect their children,” the education minister argued. Regarding examinations, the minister said health safety guidelines will be followed when examinations will be conducted.
Matia Chowdhury, former Agriculture Minister and Awami League Presidium Member, was the chief guest at the meeting. Former Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) President Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, and Dhaka South City Awami League Vice-President Advocate Nurul Amin Ruhul were also present.
On May 27, Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that the primary, secondary, and higher secondary educational institutions will reopen on June 13.
On Friday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) in a letter asked universities to adopt effective measures to hold examinations after the approval of the academic council of universities. All educational institutions across the country were declared closed in March last year to contain the transmission of Covid-19. Many institutions have been conducting online classes and other means of distance learning during the suspension of academic activities.
