The government has again decided to extend the ongoing closure of all educational institutions in Bangladesh in light of the Covid-19 situation.

The closure was scheduled to end on August 31. But now it has been extended until September 11.

The Education Ministry, in a notification Thursday, said all secondary and higher education institutions, including the Madrasas of Ebtedayee and Qawmi, would remain closed until that time.

He said that with the coronavirus situation in the country not yet under control, this decision was made in consultation with the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 to ensure the overall health and safety of students, teachers, the staff and tutors.

On March 16 last year, the government closed all educational institutions to curb Covid-19 cases and deaths.

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Since then, the shutdown has been extended several times, the last time until August 31 of this year.

Bangladesh recently experienced a rapid drop in the rate of Covid-19 infection, which led the government to lift a strict nationwide lockdown on August 11 and reopen offices and stores.

Under these circumstances, Education Minister Dipu Moni said on Tuesday that educational institutions would be reopened in phases if this current trend continues.

“If this continues, we can reopen the educational institutes step by step,” she said.

Minister of State for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossain also said: “We cannot reopen schools all at once. We have made all the preparations and if the Prime Minister orders us today, we are ready to reopen the schools from tomorrow. “

Authorities also issued guidelines on Tuesday as part of preparations for the reopening of educational institutions.