‘Will act in line with health ministry directive over operation of schools’

With the first confirmation of coronavirus cases in Bangladesh, when asked whether educational institutions will be closed, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury today said they will act in line with the directive of the health ministry.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossen said they are not currently thinking about closing educational institutions.

"We will undertake all precautionary measures but we are not thinking about closing primary schools right now," Zakir said.

Three Bangladeshis have been infected with coronavirus (COVID-19), Institute of Epidemiology, Diseases Control and Research (IEDCR) confirmed today.

With the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in the globe, a number of schools across the world were closed while a number of educational institutions are considering closure to prevent the spread of the virus.

According to UNESCO, till March 4, 22 countries in three different continents have announced or implemented school closures.

"Thirteen countries have shut schools nationwide, impacting almost 290 million children and youth who would normally attend pre-primary to upper-secondary classes".

"A further nine countries have implemented localised school closures to prevent or contain the spread of COVID-19. Should these countries also order nationwide school closures, it would prevent an additional 180 million children and youth from attending school", UNESCO said.