Bangladesh reopens educational institutions after month-long closure

Bangladesh has reopened all educational institutions, including universities, secondary schools, and colleges, following a month-long closure due to violence related to student-led protests.

These protests had culminated in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The shutdown, which began on July 17, was implemented to ensure the safety of students amid clashes over demands for reforms in the job quota system. The Ministry of Education issued a directive on Thursday to reopen the institutions, and they resumed operations on Sunday.

According to a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mosammat Rahima Akhtar on August 15, the reopening was ordered by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. On Sunday morning, students in uniform were seen returning to their schools, many accompanied by their guardians, as reported by The Daily Star.

The reopening has led to significant traffic congestion in several parts of Dhaka.

The reopening follows earlier attempts to resume classes on August 4 in government primary schools, which were postponed. Additionally, the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are now scheduled to resume on September 11 and will conclude on October 23.

Public universities, which had suspended classes since July 1 due to a teachers' strike over a new pension scheme, also reopened. Although educational institutions were initially declared open on August 7 following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, low student attendance delayed the full resumption of academic activities.