Heat wave delays reopening of schools, colleges for seven days

The government has decided to delay the reopening of educational institutions by seven more days to April 28 as a severe heat wave is currently sweeping over the country. Previously, it was decided that the educational institutions would reopen on April 21.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) informed the decision in a notification issued on Saturday, local media reported.

Prof Jafar Ali, director of the Secondary Wing at the directorate, said, “We will keep schools and colleges closed until April 27 due to the severe heat. Classes will resume again on April 28.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education also issued a separate notification, delaying the opening of all government primary schools across the country for seven days, reports bdnews24.com.

Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, senior information officer at the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, said on Saturday that all government primary schools, schools of the Child Welfare Trust and learning centres for non-formal education will be closed.

The decision was made in consideration of the health and safety of students, he said.

The schools and colleges were scheduled to reopen on Sunday (April 21) after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

Public health experts have also recommended closing educational institutions to protect students. On Saturday, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued an order barring schools from holding assemblies in the baking heat.