Bangladesh has reopened all educational institutions, including universities, secondary schools, and colleges, after more than a month of closure following student-led protests that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The closures, which began on July 17, were imposed to ensure student safety amid violent clashes during protests demanding job quota reforms.
On August 15, the Ministry of Education issued a directive to reopen the institutions under its jurisdiction, and by August 18, all educational institutions resumed academic activities. This directive followed an instruction from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, as reported by Somoy Television, a Bengali news channel based in Dhaka.
Students, many accompanied by their guardians, were seen returning to their schools in uniform, according to the Daily Star. The reopening has caused severe traffic congestion in various parts of Dhaka city. The working week in Bangladesh runs from Sunday to Thursday, which aligns with the reopening schedule.
Classes were initially scheduled to resume on August 4 for government primary schools outside the 12 city corporations and Narsingdi municipality, but this was postponed. Meanwhile, the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will now resume on September 11, with completion expected by October 23.
Public universities had been suspended since July 1 due to a teachers’ strike over a new pension scheme. After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, educational institutions were declared open on August 7, but academic activities were slow to resume due to low student attendance.
