Half-yearly exams of secondary schools will be deferred due to closure of educational institutions to curb coronavirus transmission, said Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) officials.

"We will defer the half-yearly and others school exams due to closure of educational institutions," DSHE Director General Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk told The Daily Star.

He said that all concerned people will be notified about the new schedule soon.

Meanwhile, the government today extended closure of all educational institutions till June 15 due to coronavirus situation.

All educational institutions have been closed since March 17, and the government extended the closure until May 30 to stem further spread of Covid-19.

According to the DSHE academic calendar, the half-yearly and pre-test for SSC exams are scheduled to begin on June 13 and complete on June 24.

There are about 90 lakh students currently enrolled in sixth to tenth grades in schools across the country.

Educational activities of about four crore students are being hampered due to coronavirus crisis.

First-term exams of primary schools have also been cancelled due to the crisis.

Publishing of SSC exam result has been deferred to May 31 from its schedule of May 7 or 8. The holding of HSC exam has been deferred for an indefinite period.