There is a festivity encompassing the educational institutions in the country as they are going to be reopened tomorrow after almost 18 months of closure due to coronavirus pandemic.
Schools and colleges are set to reopen following strict health guidelines.
The authority of the institutions are now preparing the academic premises for the best possible safe venues amid the existing pandemic threat, following the 19-point directive issued by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) for the institutions before and after they reopen from a desolate phase.
To ensure a compact safety before entering the premises, the educational institutions have taken measures like installing 'Disinfectant Tunnels', setting up hand-washing facilities, ensuring everyone wears a mask and hanging cautionary banners at the entrance having printed on the safety guidelines to be followed by everyone.
Before entering the school and college premises they are all set to materialise the instructions of maintaining minimum 3 feet social distancing. Moreover, cancelling morning assembly, setting up medical-isolation centre and other facilities are being implemented on the campuses.
In addition, schools and colleges have gone through clean-up drives. Most of them have been renovated and painted newly to welcome the students and teachers as the classrooms have been shut since March 17, last year.
The decision to reopen classroom doors came as a relief to the students, teachers and guardians. They have become overwhelmed; knowing the educational uncertainly in the country is coming to an end.
Students, particularly, have expressed their utmost enthusiasm at the news. It was frustrating for them to stay out of classroom for about a year and a half. They have been expecting the dreaded virus to leave for good so that they can set foot on the premises of educational institutes once again and resume attending classes in person.
Many students await annual examinations. On the other hand, the SSC and HSC examinees of 2021 have expressed their joy for being able to attend the examination. They don’t want to get promoted automatically like last year’s examinees. They have prepared for sitting in the examination.
Many have bought new kits, shoes, uniforms and bags to resume their educational activity in classrooms. To some, it’s like going to the school for the first time.
On the other hand, the measures have been welcomed by teachers, parents and experts. They think the measures and preparations taken by the government are mandatory.
However, some guardians worry over sending their kids to schools without being vaccinated. But the government is working on jabbing students below 18 against coronavirus while students of 18 and above in the universities are being vaccinated.
The country has been recovering in all spheres after being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic blues. All the institutions, except schools and colleges have been announced open in phases. Therefore, educational institutions, builder of future generation, faced an awful uncertainty. But it will no longer last.
However, the schools and colleges will be suggested to close once again if there is a surge in transmission.
This was asserted by Zahid Maleque, Minister for Health and Family Affairs, after inspecting the BDS first year admission test at Government Titumir College in Mohakhali on Friday.
“If the rate of corona infection increases alarmingly, then the Ministry of Education will definitely decide to close the educational institution and we will also suggest the same,” he said.
"We don't want our children to be infected. In many countries, schools have reopened several times, closed and reopened. We will follow the same policy in our country,” he added.
Zahid Maleque also said the World Health Organization (WHO) has not yet approved the vaccination of 12-17 year olds. The decision on vaccination of children will be taken once WHO approves.
However, the death rate is very low among children infected with Covid-19, he said as well.
