Covid-19: Schools may close again if cases rise

It will not be possible to keep schools open in case the number of Covid cases rises again, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday.

It has been noticed that the outbreak surges after winter, she said.

"Since it will not be possible to keep schools open in case of a fresh outbreak of Covid-19, you'll have to take measures to ensure the access of online teaching to every house," she said, addressing the education ministry.

She then urged guardians to assist students with online education.

The PM was virtually addressing an event, unveiling the results of Secondary School Certificate and its equivalent exams and inaugurating the distribution of free textbooks among school students for the academic year of 2022.

The PM also directed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to be sincere so that all the students get inoculated.

Hasina again urged everyone to get inoculated against Covid-19 as the government is going to expand vaccination to the grassroots.

"We've already decided to continue vaccination through every community clinic and health centre so that rural people can get the jabs. No one should remain unvaccinated."

Many people are still reluctant to get inoculated, she noted. The government has already vaccinated the teachers of educational institutes and now jabs are being given to students, she said.

The PM said her government gives particular importance to nutrition and mental health awareness of the students.

She said one lakh teachers and officials have been given training on nutrition issues and two lakh teachers on mental health issues.