Running or closing educational institutions during Ramadan up to govt: HC

A High Court bench today observed that keeping the academic institutions open or closed during the holy month of Ramadan is a policy decision of the government.

The government can run the educational institutions or keep those closed during Ramadan, and therefore, this court will not interfere with the government's decision on this issue, the bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim said.

The HC bench made the observation during hearing a writ petition that sought its directive on the government to close the functions of academic institutions across the country during the upcoming holy Ramadan.

Writ petitioner and lawyer Md Eunus Ali Akond told the HC that people, who are the source of all powers, will be the victim if the academic institutions are kept open during the Ramadan as their children will have to attend the classes with health risk.

The HC bench, however, fixed tomorrow (March 31, 2022) for further hearing of the writ petition.

A Supreme Court lawyer Eunus Ali Akond today submitted the petition as a public interest litigation also challenging the government's decision to continue running the schools and colleges till April 26 during the upcoming Ramadan.

In the petition, he also urged the HC to ask the government to cancel the decision taken by the education ministry on March 28.

Citing the petition, Eunus Ali Akond told The Daily Star that all the educational institutions are kept closed traditionally during the Ramadan in Bangladesh as around 90 percent of its people are Muslim.

The fasting teachers cannot give proper attention to teach the students during the Ramadan, he said, adding that the Covid-19 infections are yet to be over. 

If the students attend the classes in the schools wearing mask during Ramadan they can become sick due to hot weather, he said.