Educational institutions closure extended till 14 February

The government has yet again extended its closure of all educational institutions till 14 February across the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
However, the decision will not apply to Qawmi madrasas. 
 
Education Minister Dipu Moni decided this after discussing the issue with all the parties concerned on Friday, Abul Khair, the public relations officer of the ministry, told The Business Standard.
 
In the face of the Covid-19 outbreak in the country, the government shut all educational institutions on 17 March last year to contain the spread of the virus.
 
The ministry is now thinking of fully reopening schools and colleges in February.
 
On 16 March last year, the education ministry issued a press release on the government's decision to close all educational institutions and coaching centres from 18 to 31 March, considering students' safety amid the global pandemic.
 
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, 16 January, 30 January, and now 14 February.
 
Classes remained suspended since schools were closed but administrative activities have resumed gradually.
 
Earlier, the government decided not to hold 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 will get automatic promotion to the next class, while HSC students will be assessed based on their JSC and Secondary School Certificate results. All students from primary to secondary level will also be 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.