Bangladesh crisis: Educational institutions reopen after a month of closure

Bangladesh reopened all the educational institutions on August 18,Sunday. All the universities, colleges, and secondary schools across the nation have resumed functioning after a month of closure because of the violence related to student-led protests that ultimately led to the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina from office.

The educational institutions in Bangladesh were shut down onJuly 17 to ensure the safety of students amid the clashes that erupted over the demand to reform the job quota system.

The Education Ministry of Bangladesh issued a directive on August 15, Thursday, to reopen all the institutions under its jurisdiction and resume normal functioning.

As per Somoy Television, a Bengali news channel in Dhaka, Deputy Secretary Mosammat Rahima Akhtar signed a notification on August 15 that said, “All concerned have been asked to take necessary steps to resume academic activities in all the educational institutions from August 18 following the instruction of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus."

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The Daily Star reported, that in the morning, several school students were seen going to their institutions, and many were accompanied by their parents. Dhaka city is witnessing severe traffic at many points due to the reopening of all the educational institutions. In Bangladesh, the working week is from Sunday to Thursday.

Initially, all the government primary schools were to reopen on August 4, except for 12 city corporations and Narsingdi municipality, but it got postponed. However, the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent exams are scheduled to resume on September 11, and according to the revised timetable, the exams will conclude on October 23.

The classes at public universities have been suspended since July 1, when teachers went on a strike to protest for a new pension scheme. After the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, the educational institutions were declared open on August 7, but could not function efficiently because of low attendance of students.

(With inputs from agencies)