Decision on extending closure of schools, colleges Saturday: State Minister

Decision on extending the existing closure of schools and colleges prompted by the heatwave will be taken on Saturday, said State Minister for Education Shamsun Nahar.

“We are not certain about the temperature. It may go up or down. We have two days off (Friday and Saturday) and after observing the situation we will decide,” she said while talking to reporters at her office in Dhaka on Thursday.

Replying to a question, the state minister said, “Our minister will return home on Friday and then we will take a decision in this regard.”

Replying to a question about whether there is any alternative plan for taking classes, she said taking classes online could be an alternative way but students in rural areas cannot afford it and a decision will be taken considering all these things.

On 20 April, due to the ongoing heatwave condition, the authorities concerned extended the closure of schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical education institutions across the country until 27 April which were scheduled to open after Eid holidays on 21 April.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a warning that the ongoing heatwave would persist for the next 72 hours starting Thursday morning.