Coaching centres open, defying govt directive
Many coaching centres in the capital are continuing their operations amid thin presence of students, defying a government order to keep educational institutions shut down as a preventive measure against possible spread of novel coronavirus in the country.
This correspondent, while visiting coaching centres at Mirpur, Farmgate and Siddheshwari, found that officials of at least four coaching centres were providing lessons to students.
Authorities argued that they have kept their coaching centres open to circulate the government announcement of closure, as many students were yet to know of the announcement.
The government on Monday took the decision, amid fears of the spread of novel coronavirus, when three more Bangladeshis were tested positive for the virus in a day.
According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, the first death case of a coronavirus-infected patient in the country was reported yesterday, with the total number of confirmed victims standing at 14.
"We gave lessons to some students who came to the coaching centre in the morning. We will keep our centre closed from tomorrow [Thursday]," said Shyamol Kumar Mondal, manager of Aim Professors Chamber, a coaching centre at Mirpur 10.
Education Minister Dipu Moni, while announcing the closure of educational institutions from March 17 to 31, had said coaching centres would remain shut. "Students should stay at home. This closure is not for attending coaching classes or going on holidays," she added.
Sheikh Mustafizur Rahman, co-founder of Commerce Centre at Mirpur, was found tutoring three students at his coaching centre. Students said Shafiqul Alam, another teacher of the coaching centre, tutored six or seven students in the morning.
"We usually tutor honours level students. We are observing the situation. We will take decision about shutting down the coaching centre in a day or two," Mustafizur said.
He said they were unaware about the government decision to close all coaching centres.
This correspondent found offices of Legend Admission Coaching and Sandhani Coaching centre and Medico at Mirpur areas open, although staffers at the offices claimed they were not operating any activities.
Medico coaching manager Mamunur Rashid said they kept the coaching centre office open in order to continue online admission system.
Legend coaching manager Golam Sarwar said they are keeping coaching in the first half of the day.
A student was seen taking lesson from Mukbul Hossain, founder of Dhrubok, at Farmgate area. "We have shut down the coaching centre until March 31. These stduents have exams in a few day, so I am giving some advice," Mukbul said.
In the next room, an eighth-grade student was seen taking lesson a Redon coaching. She said her teacher went outside after giving lessons, but did not disclose the teacher's name. This correspondent waited for 15 minutes but the teacher did not return.
Locals of Siddheshwari alleged that a group of students were taking lessons at Ambition Coaching Centre. Rezaul Karim, owner of the coaching centre, said that they have tutored students as they came for tuitions, adding that they will close coaching centres from today.
The education ministry in a statement yesterday afternoon said that it has noticed that many coaching centres remained open, that are increasing risk of students being infected with coronavirus. "Directives have been given to district administration and superintendent of police to take necessary steps," the statement said.
The circular also asked authorities concerned to take necessary steps over students and guardians treating the closure of educational institutions as a holiday and visiting different areas of the country.
The ministry asked all district administrations and superintendent of police (SPs) to take measures to send students home if they were seen roaming outside.
It also urged all guardians to keep their children at home.