Schools may reopen by end of month: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the country's educational institutions would be reopened at the end of this month if the Covid situation improves.

"We hope that the situation may change [improve] at the end of this month and then we can reopen schools, colleges and all other educational institutions," she said this while publishing the results of Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinations 2021.

The PM published the results joining a function at International Mother Language Institute virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said though online education was conducted during the pandemic, students were deprived of classroom learning and the company of their peers and friends at their institutions. "Our students are the worst victims of the coronavirus fallout."

Noting that there is reluctance among people about getting vaccinated, she asked all to take the vaccine shots to protect themselves from the dire consequences of coronavirus.

The PM hoped that Bangladesh would be able to tackle the Omicron variant of coronavirus soon.

Hasina said her government is giving the utmost importance to technical and vocational education and setting up technical school in every upazila across the country.

"Our students are very meritorious. If we can give them proper education, they'll be able to grab the job opportunities to be created at home and abroad following the fourth industrial revolution [4IR]," she said.

Hasina said students will need job-oriented education as only the traditional academic degrees are not enough in the era of the 4th IR.

She has always given importance to science and technology education since assuming power in 1996, the PM said.

To ensure multidimensional education, she said her government is now establishing university in every district, and setting up different types of universities, including science and technology, agricultural, medical, textile, maritime, airspace and aviation ones in both public and private sectors.

Hasina also stressed the need for strengthening research activities in different sectors with utmost importance on science and medical science research.

Due to research, Bangladesh has been able to fulfil the domestic food demand, she said.

The PM extended her sincere thanks to the education ministry and all the education boards for releasing the results within 44 days after the HSC and equivalent examinations even amid the pandemic.

On behalf of the prime minister, Education Minister Dipu Moni received the results from chairmen of all the education boards.

At the function, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury delivered the welcome speech.