Amid cold wave sweeping across the country, Bangladesh government ordered shutdown of primary and secondary schools, if the highest temperature in the districts they are located falls below 10°C.
Bangladesh government in directives on Tuesday (Jan 16) said that administrations can keep the primary and secondary schools shut if temperature of a district dips to 10 degrees Celsius or below of this. The Primary and Mass Education Ministry and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) issued separate statements in this regard.
Earlier, the DSHE issued two more directives. The first one said the authorities concerned can keep shut the schools if maximum temperature in any district falls below 17 degrees Celsius and the second one mentioned below 10 degree Celsius.
However, according to the directives, severe cold waves are currently sweeping over different districts of the country, hampering the normal educational activities of the students.
In this regard, the regional deputy directors of primary and secondary educations, in consultation with the district education officers concerned, may keep the primary and secondary levels educational institutions closed if the district witnesses maximum temperature 10 degrees Celsius or below 10 degree Celsius (as per weather forecast of the concerned meteorological office).
Those institutions will remain closed until maximum temperature rises to 10 degrees Celsius or above.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education circular said that the directive will remain effective until Jan 31.
Sreemangal in Moulvibazar district on Tuesday experienced the lowest temperature at 9.7°C, indicating a mild cold wave impacting several regions across Bangladesh. Moreover, moderate to thick fog is expected to envelop the country from midnight to morning, possibly extending until noon in some areas. This foggy condition is likely to disrupt air navigation, inland river transport movement, and road communication temporarily.
The weather forecast suggests dry conditions with temporary partly cloudy skies across the country, with no significant change in night and day temperatures are expected.
The cold waves impact is palpable among the populace, with Dhaka residents and others feeling winters bite more acutely in recent days.
The northern regions are experiencing even harsher conditions, where the intense cold has significantly hampered daily activities.
Bangladesh is currently facing a challenging winter, with lower temperatures affecting daily life and transportation across various regions.
