The government has introduced distance learning or TV education programmes through Sangsad Bangladesh Television for students studying in primary and secondary schools. Many students, despite the initiative, remain out of coverage of the programme. The initiative is to bring some three and a half crore school students under the coverage of regular lessons so that they do not fall behind and possibly lose any academic year.
According to the annual academic calendar of the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE), half-yearly exams at Bangla medium schools are expected to start on April 15 and complete on April 23. Md Fasiullah,Director General of DPE said, “We could not complete lessons. Exams can take place only after lessons are completed. If the situation is not normal, how can we hold exams?”
Across the country, some 3.68 crore students at different educational institutions and over a million teachers and other school personnel are now confined to their homes. Top DSHE officials said thatschools and colleges will remain shut till May 31 for the Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr vacation as the government extended the closure till April 25.
According to Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education's (DSHE) academic calendar, the half-yearly and pre-test for SSC exams are scheduled to begin on June 13 and complete on June 25. Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education of the Education Ministry told Bangladesh Post, “The safety of teachers and students is the first consideration for us. During the time of school closure, we are broadcasting classes on television to keep the students on study track. Considering the safety of everyone, decision will be taken whether the educational institutions would remain closed or open.”
On the other hand, HSC and equivalent examinations was scheduled to start from April 1. But due to coronavirus outbreak, the education ministry postponed the test. Even, new schedule could not be announced considering the ongoing situation. Meanwhile, the theoretical examination of SSC examination concluded on February 27 and practical was supposed to end on March 5. However, uncertainty grips over publishing of the results.
Chairman of Dhaka Education Board, Ziaul Haq, said, “We are trying to publish the results of SSC at the right time. However, if the office is closed for long, it will be very difficult. And the HSC test may start at least 15 days after the situation become normal.” Besides, over 40 lakh students currently studying in public universities and their affiliated institutions and over 3.5 lakh pupil who study at 105 private universities in Bangladesh are also facing similar uncertainties over their academic activities.
Some private universities, in the meantime, are continuing their academic activities through online communication. Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) urged the private universities to stop taking examinations online, evaluating papers and enrolling new students during the closure period.
On March 16, the government announced the closure of all educational institutions and coaching centres till March 31 and asked all students to stay at home to control the spread of the virus. Then, on March 24, the Education Ministry further extended the closure till April 9.
To continue the learning of secondary school students during the vacation period, Sangshad Television has been broadcasting class lessons for Class VI to Class X between 9:00am and 9:000pm every day from March 28. On the other hand, Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) also took separate initiative to broadcast lessons forstudents studying in primary schools.
On April 7, DPE started broadcasting primary class lessons on Sangshad Television. Earlier, the authorities also suspended this year’s upcoming Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. Bangladesh Public Service Commission in a statement also postponed all its examinations between March 18 and March 31.