The government on Tuesday directed to cancel ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level examinations under the Cambridge system for 2020-21 session citing the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
‘O’ level and ‘A’ level examinations were scheduled to begin in April this year.
The Education Ministry issued a notice in this regard on Tuesday.
Also Read: No bar to holding 'A' level, 'O' level exams: HC
It requested the British Council not to hold the ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level examinations, as many foreign countries including UK, also decided to halt the exams.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has been seeing a surge in the number of new coronavirus cases and deaths. On Tuesday, it recorded 26 deaths for a second consecutive day and 1,719 new cases.
So far, the health authorities have confirmed 560,887 cases and 8,597 fatalities. The daily infection rate slightly fell to 8.29 percent from 9.48 percent on Monday, according to a handout of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Also read: Covid situation worsening in Bangladesh, another 26 die in 24 hours
Government strengthens measurers
Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Monday said the government would go tough to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The ministry has sent letters to the districts, directing the officials concerned to impose fines on people flouting Covid health protocols, he said.
Also read: Govt to get tougher on curbing Covid-19 transmission: Health Minister
“Educational Institutions were scheduled to resume from March 30 but the closure will be extended if the infection keeps surging at the present rate,” the Minister said.
Vaccination drive in Bangladesh
Bangladesh launched its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive on February 7.
By Monday, 4,485,954 people received the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The second dose has to be taken between 8 and 12 weeks of the first one.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 95,675 get vaccine shot in 24 hours
The government signed an agreement with India's Serum Institute for acquiring 30 million doses of the vaccine.
The institute will provide five million doses every month between January and June. People aged 40 or above can register for getting the jab at www.surokkha.gov.bd