Schools, colleges return to online education again

In its latest move following the recent Covid-19 upsurge, the government has issued 11-point directives, including resuming online classes, for schools and colleges during the closure till February 6 aiming at blocking the transmission of coronavirus.

This is the second the country goes into virtual classes since the pandemic hit it on March 8, 2000. The country's schools and colleges reopened for in-person classes on September 12 last year after a staggering 543 days, making it one of the world’s longest coronavirus shutdowns. 

On Saturday, the Ministry of Education through a notification in this regard for schools and colleges under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education followed by a notice of the Cabinet Division issued on Friday, reports UNB.

According to the notice, all the schools, colleges of the country will remain closed from January 21 to February 6.

The other directives of the ministry are: 

1. Vaccination of students aged between 12 to 17 years against Covid-19 will continue following the health guidelines in coordination with the zonal offices of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, District Education Office, Upazila Secondary Education Offices, local administration and Civil Surgeons.

2. The authorities will take measures to keep electricity, telephone, water, internet connections  uninterrupted and safe in classes, libraries and laboratories.

3. Special importance will be given on maintenance and security of assets of the educational institutions during the period.

4. The head of the educational institutions can engage teachers and staff in work for emergency need on condition of maintaining health guidelines properly.

5. The institutions having dormitories may keep the dormitories open maintaining health protocols until any further notice is issued in this regard.

6. All the staff, officers and teachers of offices, institutions under the directorate  need to collect vaccine certificates.

7. Offices of the educational institutions  will remain open and operate following the health guidelines.

8. The ongoing sports competitions arranged by National Madrasa, School and Technical Sports Association will remain suspended until further notice.

9. Regular cleaning activities at the educational institutions will continue as before.