Schools, colleges will be shut down again if infections rise: Minister

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday said educational institutions across the country would be closed again if the Covid-19 infections increase. 

She made the remarks while talking to media at Jamalpur Circuit House, reports Prothom Alo. 

"Educational institutions of the country are reopening after a long 17-month closure. Teaching will be done in the classroom following all types of hygiene rules. Even then, if there is a risk of infection, all necessary measures will be taken. If the educational institution has to be closed, we will not hesitate to do so," Dipu Moni said. 

She also urged the guardians of the students to be cautious and follow health guidelines as well. 

"If any student or their family members show symptoms at home, then that student must not be sent to the educational institution," she noted. 

The decision to reopen all the primary, secondary and higher secondary-level educational institutions from 12 September was finalised at an inter-ministerial meeting at the cabinet division on 5 September.

After the reopening, the SSC and HSC examinees of 2020-2021, and the students of fifth standard will attend classes regularly while the students of grades 1-4 and 6-9 will attend classes once a week initially according to the Education Minister. 

Earlier, on 26 August, the government extended the closure of secondary and higher secondary-level educational institutions till 11 September.

The government shut the educational institutions on 17 March 2020, after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on 8 March and later the closure was extended several times.