Millions of Bangladeshi students returned to classrooms today despite a scorching heatwave gripping the country. This comes after a week-long closure due to the intense heat and just after the Eid-ul-Fitr and Pahela Baishakh holidays.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department extended the heat alert by another three days, raising concerns for students’ well-being. To mitigate the effects of the heat, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education implemented adjusted school hours. Primary schools will now operate in a single morning shift from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Schools with a double-shift system will have their first shift from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and the second from 9:45 AM to 11:30 AM. Additionally, school assemblies have been suspended until the temperatures become more manageable. Pre-primary classes will also remain closed until further notice.
Parents expressed worries about their children’s potential health risks in the extreme heat. The Ministry’s decision to adjust school hours offers some relief, but concerns linger about the impact on student learning if the heatwave persists.