Govt asks authorities to ensure cleanliness of school campuses for eventual reopening

The government has asked the authorities of primary and secondary schools to ensure campuses are clean for the eventual reopening of educational institutions after the prolonged closure due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Primary and Mass Education State Minister Zakir Hossain, said that they are prepared to hold Primary Education Completion Examinations for class-5 students and term exams of other primary students.

If the Covid-19 situation remains as bad, the government may cancel the exams like last year and students will be evaluated by assessment of worksheet containing a series of questions and exercises, he said.

The teachers of primary schools have been instructed to keep their offices open so that school campuses remain clean, and proper educational atmosphere exists when schools do reopen, Zakir said, while talking to reporters at his secretariat office this afternoon.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education asked regional directors to take steps so that school authorities keep their institutions clean, said DSHE Director Belal Hossain.

"We also asked them to keep the campuses clean keeping in mind the dengue situation and because schools may reopen soon," he said.

On March 17, 2020, the government closed all educational institutions to check the spread of coronavirus. The closure – which was recently extended till August 31 -- has led to cancellation of exams and left academic calendars in disarray.

Following the decision to close educational institutions, the government launched TV education programmes through state-run Sangsad television channel for secondary and primary students. It also asked all schools to introduce online education.

Most students in urban areas have access to learning through the internet, but the digital device has so far proved to be a great disadvantage for underprivileged learners, mainly due to a lack of devices and poor access to the internet.