Bangladesh鈥檚 education system came to a near standstill, except for the primary level, as the government announced on Tuesday the indefinite closure of all secondary, higher secondary educational institutions and colleges amid ongoing student protests, demanding quota reform.
The government also postponed Thursday鈥檚 Higher Secondary Certificate and equivalent examinations.
The announcements were made on the day when the ruling Awami League鈥檚 student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League and police clashed wi th quota protesters from different universities and colleges across the country, resulting in at least five deaths and scores injuries.
A press release issued by the education ministry on Tuesday night stated that classroom activities in all secondary, higher secondary, and polytechnic educational institutions would be suspended until further notice, considering the safety of the students.
The closure will take effect on Thursday, as Wednesday is a public holiday for Ashura, according to the release.
The Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee under the education ministry also issued a notice, stating that the ongoing HSC and equivalent examinations under all 11 boards were suspended on July 18.
The new schedule for the postponed exams would be announced later, and the exams on July 21 would proceed as scheduled, read the notice.
The National University also announced to close all its tertiary level colleges and educational institutions for an indefinite period amid the ongoing protests.
In a press release, the university authorities said that the educational institutions under it would be closed until further notice.
Following the indefinite work abstention by public university teachers, demanding the cancellation of the universal pension scheme 鈥楶rattay鈥�, academic and almost all administrative activities in public universities have been halted since July 1.
