Educational institutions will not reopen until situation normalises: Education Minister Nowfel

He says the government is avoiding hasty decisions to prevent further instability

Despite the ultimatum from quota reform protesters demanding the reopening of educational institutions, Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury Nowfel has said it will not be possible until normalcy returns.

A meeting was held in the office of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon to review the protesters’ new demands and the ongoing situation.

Besides Nowfel, Law Minister Anisul Huq, State Minister for Information Mohammad Ali Arafat and Prime Minister's Adviser on Private Industry and Investment Salman F Rahman were present in the meeting.

After the meeting, the education minister told reporters: “We cannot consider reopening educational institutions without ensuring the complete safety of students.”

“We do not wish to create further instability by making hasty decisions. Therefore, we are closely monitoring the situation.”

“The HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) examinations are ongoing, so we are attempting to resume the process of these exams,” said the minister.

“The situation is being observed closely.”

The minister said peaceful coexistence must be ensured before reopening educational institutions.