Govt taking preparation to open schools: PM

December 14, 2020 00:00:00

The National Defence College presented a painting to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the graduation ceremony of the National Defence Course-2020 and Armed Forces War Course-2020 on Sunday. The Prime Minister joined the programme virtually from Ganobhaban — Focus Bangla

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government is taking preparations so that children can return to their educational institutions and resume their academic activities normally, reports UNB.

"We hope that good day will come in the future [when] our children will be able to go [back] to their schools [and] carry on their studies normally. We're preparing to that end," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while speaking virtually at the Graduation Ceremony of National Defence Course-2020 and Armed Forces War Course-2020 at National Defence College at Sheikh Hasina Complex DSCSC in Mirpur Cantonment from her official residence Ganobhaban.

She said that the government cannot reopen schools because of the existing COVID-19 situation and noted that classes have been continuing through online and television.

In March, shortly after the country reported its first COVID-19 cases, the government shut down educational institutions to protect the students and prevent transmission of the virus.

The closure was extended several times till Dec 19.

"It creates psychological pressure on the children if they cannot go to their schools," Sheikh Hasina said, noting that the second wave of COVID-19 hit when the government was preparing to reopen educational institutions.

There has been no word on whether the government will reopen educational institutions this year or extend their closure.

National Defence College commandant Lt Gen Ataul Hakim Sarwar Hasan also spoke at the programme.

The Prime Minister reiterated her firm stance to remain on the side of peace, saying that Bangladesh believes in peace and wants peace. She also put emphasis on being prepared all the time to hit back if the country's sovereignty is threatened.

"We don't want war, we want peace [but] if anyone comes to hit on our sovereignty, we must need to attain the capability to hit back. We need to undergo training and take preparations for that. All members of our Armed Forces need to remember this all the time," she said.