Schools, colleges, universities reopen Sunday after ‘blood-stained days’

The students will return to classes as witnesses to the fall of the government in the movement they led

All educational institutions, including public and private universities, are set to reopen after a month of closure following deadly violence.

The students will return to classes on Sunday after bringing down the Awami League government through a bloody movement they spearheaded and was joined by the public.

The pupils and parents expect the educational institutions to focus on making up for the lost lessons along with the resumption of regular activities.

In 2018, the government in a notification abolished the job quota system, and following a High Court ruling in late June this year declaring it illegal, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement took to the streets in early July.

Clashes in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur on Jul 16 led to the deaths of six people, including students and pedestrians.

Amid the violence, all schools, colleges, polytechnics and universities across the country were closed indefinitely that night.

The following morning, primary schools in the city corporation areas of the eight divisions were closed. When the situation worsened, the government closed primary schools.

It was decided class activities at primary schools will be resumed across the country except the municipal areas of the 12 city corporations and the Narsingdi district from last Aug 4. However, when the situation worsened, the reopening was postponed.

The day after the fall of the government on Aug 5, the military through its press wing Inter-Services Public Relations ordered the opening of educational institutions from Aug 7.

After that, some primary schools opened but many schools remained closed due to a lack of instructions on the matter from the relevant ministry.

As the situation is likely to be stable, the Secondary and Higher Education Department on Thursday instructed the University Grants Commission, the vice-chancellors of public and private universities, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the Directorate of Madrasa Education, and the Directorate of Technical Education to take the necessary measures for the reopening of educational institutions.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education ordered the resumption of primary school classes after a month of closure.

The students, on their part, expect a peaceful environment to return to the classroom.

Ibrahim Mallik, a student of Jagannath University, told bdnews24.com that they want no impact of violence surrounding the quota reform movement on the universities.

“Several incidents took place during the movement which can cause anger. But we want a normal environment for education. Everyone should be careful so that the student organisations do not get involved in new conflicts after the change of power."

The parents have urged teachers to be careful about the gaps in lessons due to the month-long break.

Rafi Mahmud, the father of a student at Mirpur Bangla High School, said: “Children’s study has suffered a lot. Now they lack the concentration to study. I hope the teachers will cooperate so that they can overcome the study gap mentally.

“The school was closed several times during winter and summer in this academic year. A month is not a short time. It’s difficult to overcome all the shortfalls but the schools can still reduce the damage if they want.”