Amid concern from guardians and falling attendance, the government yesterday announced that all educational institutions would remain closed from March 17-31 as a preventive measure against possible spread of novel coronavirus in the country.

The primary and mass education ministry postponed today's Mujib Borsho celebration programmes marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, the education ministry would organise programmes on a limited scale.

The decision came amid fears of the spread of novel coronavirus as three more Bangladeshis were tested positive for the virus yesterday, raising the number of infected people in the country to eight.

Media reports said many parents recently stopped sending their children to schools, leading to a drop in students' attendance.

Many guardians hailed the government's decision of shutting the educational institutions.

Rezwana Parvin, guardian of a schoolchild from the capital's Mohammadpur, said the decision came as a relief for them.

Education Minister Dipu Moni and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Zakir Hossen, announced the closure of educational institutions at separate press conferences at their offices at the secretariat.

Speaking at the press conference at her office, the education minister said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.

"Everyone has to make sure that students stay at home. It is the cabinet's decision. Educational institutions of all levels -- from pre-primary to higher studies -- will remain closed."

She said coaching centres would also remain shut. "Students should stay at home. This closure is not for attending coaching classes or go on holidays."

The education ministry oversees 41,906 schools, colleges, madrasas, and universities, which have 1.94 crore students and 5.59 lakh teachers, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS).

Dipu Moni said any decision regarding the upcoming HSC exams, scheduled to begin on April 1, would be taken when the exam date would get nearer. She said there was no reason for taking the decision now.

The minister said all the school would observe their scheduled programmes marking Mujib Borsho. "Teachers will plant saplings without holding any gathering."

Earlier, the ministry had decided that each school would plant 100 saplings in and around its campus on March 17.

MUJIB BORSHO EVENTS POSTPONED

State Minister Zakir Hossen said today's programmes marking Mujib Borsho were postponed.

The primary and mass education ministry cancelled the programme of reading out Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's letter, written to all primary students on Mujib Borsho, by the students.

He also said all classes would remain closed until March 31.

According to BANBEIS, the ministry oversees over 1 lakh primary schools, madrasas, and kindergartens, which have over 1.74 crore students and 4.26 lakh teachers.

PUBLIC UNIVS SHUT

The Dhaka University authorities yesterday announced that the educational institution would remain closed from March 18-28.

"All academic activities will remain suspended from March 18 to 28 to ensure safety of our students," DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Md Akhtaruzzaman said at a press briefing on the campus yesterday morning.

Prof Md Amir Hussain, pro vice-chancellor (administration) of Jahangirnagar University, said the university would remain closed from March 18 to April 2.

All its students have been asked to vacate the residential halls by 11:00am on Thursday.

Authorities of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) closed the institution until March 31.

In a notice, they asked all students to leave the campus as the residential halls would remain shut from tomorrow afternoon.

The authorities of Jagannath University, Rajshahi University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Islamic University said their institutions would remain closed from March 18-31.

NU, PSC EXAMS SUSPENDED

In a notice issued yesterday, the National University said it suspended all examinations from March 17-31.

Bangladesh Public Service Commission also suspended all exams from March 17 to 31, said a statement.

The Unesco said an unprecedented number of children, youths and adults are not attending schools or universities because of Covid-19. Governments in 73 countries have announced or implemented the closure of educational institutions in an attempt to slow down the spread of the disease.

According to Unesco monitoring, 56 countries have closed schools nationwide, impacting over 516.6 million children and youths.

CINEMAS CLOSED

Mia Alauddin, adviser to Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitors Association, said all cinemas across the country would remain closed from March 18 to April 2.

He, however, said cineplexes would remain open during the period.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel told The Daily Star that all domestic and international games and sports events would remain suspended until April 30 and March 31 respectively.

UNB adds: Labour and Employment Secretary KM Ali Azam yesterday said no decision was taken yet over closing mills and factories amid coronavirus fears.

Speaking to reporters after attending a programme at the secretariat, he said the factory authorities were asked to grant leave to those workers whose relatives returned home from abroad recently.