DU to reopen dorms in first week of Oct

Dhaka University is going to reopen its dormitories for the resident students of master's and honours final year in the first week of October, as the government moves to reopen educational institutions in phases.

Meanwhile, the authorities of primary and secondary schools have been asked to ensure that their campuses are clean and ready for reopening after over 18 months of closure due to the Covid pandemic.

At a meeting yesterday evening, the DU provost committee decided to reopen in the first week of October the dormitories for the resident students of master's and honours final year, who will sit for examinations, said Prof KM Saiful Islam Khan, provost of Sir AF Rahman Hall.

The students will be allowed to stay in the dormitories for 15 days during the exams, he told The Daily Star.

Later in phases, other honours students will be allowed to stay in dormitories and sit for exams, he added.

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal told this newspaper that all the resident students have been asked to get double dose of Covid vaccines by September 15.

The government is considering reopening educational institutions in phases with universities set to be the first to resume in-person classes amid the pandemic.

On March 17 last year, all educational institutions were closed to contain the spread of Covid. The closure -- recently extended till August 31 -- has led to cancellation of exams and left academic calendars in disarray.

Education Minister Dipu Moni, and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossen yesterday said necessary preparations have been made for reopening schools and starting in-person classes in phases.

Zakir said the teachers of primary schools have been asked to keep their school campuses clean and ready for reopening. 

Talking to reporters at his secretariat office, he said they want to reopen schools soon. The decision in this regard will be finalised upon instructions from the higher level of government.

He further said the government plans to reopen primary schools in phases. Students of class-III, IV and V, may need to attend schools twice a week and students of class-I and II once a week.

Several upazila primary education officials told this newspaper that they received verbal instructions from high-ups of the Directorate of Primary Education to complete inspection of all primary schools in their designated areas by August 31.

They said field-level officials will have to oversee attendance of teachers at schools, home assignments for students and sanitation facilities at primary schools.

Zakir said the government has made preparations for holding Primary Education Completion Examinations for class-V students and terminal exams for other primary students.

But if the Covid situation worsens, the government may cancel the exams as in the previous year and students will be evaluated through assessment of homework.

He further said the terminal exams will be held based on shortened syllabus.

Speaking at a discussion in the capital, Dipu Moni said it's good news that the Covid infection rate in the country is falling gradually.

"We will be able to reopen educational institutions soon if the infection rate continues to fall."

She said educational institutions will be reopened in phases.

"It's because the number of students in our classrooms is more than the entire population of many countries… And it is important to maintain social distancing in the classrooms."

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister and AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader attended the programme as chief guest. The party's Cultural Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, among others, addressed it.

The Awami League Sub Committee on Cultural Affairs arranged the discussion marking the National Mourning Day.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has asked its regional officials to ensure that school authorities keep the educational institutions clean.

DSHE Director Belal Hossain said they have sent directives to the regional officials in this regard.

"Keeping in mind both the Covid and dengue situations, we also asked them to ensure that the school campuses are clean for reopening soon," he told this newspaper.