DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladesh announced on Monday that public and private universities in the country will resume in-person education on May 24, while the decision on schools and colleges will be taken next month.

Speaking at a virtual news conference, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said academic activities in both public and private universities will begin "shortly after the Eid al-Fitr holiday", which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“One week before the reopening of classrooms, students’ residential dormitories will be unlocked on May 17 with the condition that coronavirus health guidelines are ensured,” Moni said.

Bangladeshi authorities closed all academic institutions across the country on March 17, 2020, following the COVID-19 outbreak, which has claimed a total of 8,356 lives, with 543,717 cases by Monday.

The government has several times extended the closure of educational institutions due to rises in the number of COVID-19 cases, and last week the Education Ministry announced that it would keep all educational institutions closed until Feb. 28.

However, the minister said the decision on the reopening of schools and colleges will be taken after Feb. 28, depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Underlining students’ safety as a top priority, Moni said universities must ensure that all students in their residential dormitories completely follow the health measures.

"All necessary arrangements in classrooms and student dormitories must be completed before May 17," she said, adding that online classes will continue.

She noted that universities will not administer any exams until the classrooms are reopened.

"Before the reopening, teachers, students, and employees will be vaccinated," the minister assured.

According to sources in the Education Ministry, there are currently 130,000 residential students, 15,000 teachers, and 25,000 workers at 53 public universities in Bangladesh, and all will be vaccinated before in-person academic activities resume.