Educational institutions in Bangladesh were closed indefinitely on July 17 to ensure the safety of students in the wake of clashes during recent protests demanding reform of the job quota system.

Dhaka: Bangladesh reopened all educational institutions, universities, secondary schools and colleges across the country on Sunday, after more than a month of closure due to student-led protests and violence following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Educational institutions in Bangladesh were closed indefinitely on July 17 to ensure the safety of students in the wake of clashes during recent protests demanding reform of the job quota system. The Ministry of Education on Thursday issued instructions to reopen institutions under its jurisdiction. All educational institutions resumed on Sunday after being closed for a month.

According to Dhaka-based Bengali news channel Somoy Television, “Following the instructions of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, all concerned have been asked to take necessary steps to resume academic activities in all educational institutions from August 18,” in a notification signed by Deputy Chief Advisers. Secretary Mosammat Rahima Akhtar said on August 15.

In the morning, school students in uniform were seen walking to their institutions, many accompanied by parents, the Daily Star reported. Due to the re-opening of educational institutions, there is a huge traffic jam in many parts of Dhaka city.

The working week in Bangladesh is Sunday to Thursday. Initially, classes were to resume on August 4 in all government primary schools except 12 Municipal Corporations and Narsingdi Municipality, but this too was postponed.

Meanwhile, the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will resume from September 11. As per the revised schedule, the exams will be completed on October 23. Classes in public universities have been closed since July 1 as teachers went on strike. Protest against the new pension scheme. After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, educational institutions were opened on August 7, but academic activities could not fully resume due to low attendance of students.