Closure of universities extended until 29 May

The ongoing closure of universities has been extended till 29 May responding to the Covid-19 situation in the country. 

The Education Ministry's Public Relation Officer Md Abul Khayer confirmed the news in a press release today.

The decision has been taken considering the safety of students, teachers, staff, and guardians amid a surge in Covid-19 infections in national and international levels, read the notification. 

The opinion of the National Advisory Committee on Covid-19 also contributed to the decision to extend the closure till 29 May instead of 24 May. 

However, the online education activities will continue as before during the period, it stated. 

Meanwhile, the closure of primary schools has also been extended for the same period, said a statement issued by the Primary and Mass Education Ministry.

Earlier on Saturday, the ministry issued a notice extending the closure of secondary and higher secondary educational institutions. 

All educational institutes have been shut for the last 14 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, inflicting severe harm on the academic life of students.

The government earlier decided to reopen the schools, colleges on May 23 and universities on May 24, following the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19.

In the face of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the education ministry announced closure of all educational institutions and coaching centres on 16 March last year.

Later, the closure was extended several times – first till 9 April, then 25 April, 5 May, 30 May, 6 August, 31 August, 3 October, 31 October, 14 November, 19 December last year, and 16 January, 30 January and 30 March this year.

Classes and examinations remained suspended since then but administrative activities resumed gradually. However, some classes were held online. 

The government had to cancel last year's Primary School Certificate (PSC), Junior School Certificate (JSC), Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and their equivalent exams due to the pandemic.

The PSC and JSC examinees got automatic promotion to the next class, while HSC students were assessed based on their JSC and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) results.

All students from primary to secondary level were also promoted automatically. There are about 4.5 crore students from pre-primary to higher education level at around two lakh educational institutions across the country.