The government has permitted Qawmi madrasas to conduct examinations equivalent to degree and masters level following the health protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The revelation was made by Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam while addressing the press after the weekly cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.
Responding to a query by a reporter, he said: “Qawmi madrasas got the permission to conduct masters and degree examinations but they did not get the permission to open their madrasas [for classes] right now.”
The Qawmi madrasas will be allowed to hold the exams at their convenient time but they must follow the health protocols, he said.
Also Read- Qawmi madrasas cleared to reopen amid pandemic
On August 17, the Qawmi madrasas submitted a petition to the prime minister to allow them to reopen the “Qitab” division and hold the respective exams. A copy of the petition was sent to the cabinet secretary.
‘Situation not right to reopen educational institutions’
The present situation is not right to reopen schools and colleges due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, said the cabinet secretary.
“But the government is thinking about the Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and Junior School Certificate (JSC) exams,” he added.
The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has halted the HSC and equivalent examinations, which were slated for April 1, 2020.
Meanwhile, the future of this year’s JSC examinations also remains undecided.
Earlier in March, the government ordered all schools, colleges, and universities across the country to close down soon after the first cases of Covid-19 in Bangladesh were reported on March 8.
The shutdown has since been extended several times, with the latest extension issued on July 28, when the government decided to keep educational institutions across Bangladesh closed till August 31, in light of the Covid-19 crisis in the country.
However, the government has also been running a distance-learning program through Sangsad Television for schools and colleges. Classes are taking place on Facebook and YouTube for primary and secondary-level students as well.
Many private universities have already started online classes to keep up with the coursework.
