Educational institutions to reopen at month end: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expected that reopening of the educational institutions in the country could be possible at the end of this month depending on the pandemic situation.

“Now a bad situation is going on and we hope, at the end of this month the situation would improve. So, we are expecting that we can reopen the educational institutions at that time,” she said.

The premier made this expectation at the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations results unveiling ceremony this morning at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium.

She joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban here.

Sheikh Hasina said though online education was conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, students were deprived of the joys of classroom learning and company of their peers and friends in the institutes. “Our students are worst affected by the Covid-19,” she opined.

She said the Covid-19 vaccination campaign continues so the education institutes can be reopened. 

The prime minister said the government has taken measures to bring the people from all strata under the inoculation coverage.

Noting that there is still reluctance among the people in receiving Covid-19 jab, she urged all to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the dire impacts of Coronavirus.

The head of the government hoped Bangladesh would be able to tackle the Omicron variant of Coronavirus soon.

Earlier, Chairmen of 11 education boards--nine general boards, one madrasha education board and one technical education board--handed over the results.

On behalf of the prime minister, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, MP received the results as she spoke at the function as the special guest.

Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury, MP delivered the welcome speech at the ceremony while Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Md. Abu Bakr Siddique conducted the event.

Bangladesh Technical Education Board Secretary Md. Aminul Islam Khan also spoke.

The examinees will be able to get their results from their respective exam centres and online, and through sending SMS from mobile phones, reports BSS.

About 14 lakh students appeared in the HSC and equivalent examinations in 2021. Of them, 7.30 lakh are male and 6.70 lakh are female.

The HSC and equivalent examinations began on December 2 and ended on December 30 in 2021 while the examinations were held with a short syllabus due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation.