The primary and mass education ministry has declared shut all primary schools, Shishu Kalyan Trust schools, and Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) learning centres till May 2 due to the blistering heatwave sweeping across Bangladesh.
A press release issued Monday, signed by primary and mass education ministry Senior Information Officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, made the disclosure.
Besides, classes of secondary schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions of 27 districts will remain closed due to the ongoing heat wave.
Secondary educational institutions of all districts of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions; Dhaka, Tangail, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Gazipur, Kurigram, Dinajpur, Patuakhali districts will remain closed on 30th April.
Educational institutions were scheduled to resume classes after Eid-ul-Fitr on April 21.
However, due to the ongoing heatwave, this holiday was extended for another week. On Thursday, the education ministry had issued a guideline for reopening schools and colleges from Sunday, and classes were held.
Earlier in the day, the ministry had announced the shutdown of educational institutions in five districts, but primary schools were exempt from the decision.
Meanwhile, the High Court on Monday asked the authorities concerned to keep primary and secondary level educational institutions – except those with air conditioners – closed until Thursday due to the extreme heat.
The High Court bench of justices KM Kamrul Kader and Khizir Hayat passed the suo-moto order. Educational institutions which have air conditioners, universities, A and O level exams and public examinations will remain out of the purview of this order.
Supreme Court lawyer Md Manir Uddin drew the court’s attention on the news of deaths and illnesses of people – including teachers and students – after the reopening of educational institutions amid the heat alert across the country.
