State Minister: PEC exam likely in November or December

The Primary Education Completion (PEC) examination will be held either in November or December if the Covid situation improves, says State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Ministry Md Zakir Hossain.

“As per government directives, the fifth graders will regularly attend their classes and the PEC exam will be held at the end of November or in the first week of December if the Covid-19 situation improves,” he told a press briefing at the secretariat on Monday.

Replying to a question, he said: “The exam will be held on a short syllabus and we have provided that. We have a recovery plan also.”

Besides, the government is thinking about taking the annual exams, added the state minister.

Also Read - Bangladesh to reopen schools, colleges from September 12

Schools reopening

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday said that the country's educational institutions will be ready to host students by September 9, before finally reopening three days later - bringing to an end what Unicef has called the world's second-longest schools closure due to Covid-19.

“Ministry officials will complete field inspections within September 9 to observe whether the institutions are fully prepared to open their doors for students,” she told reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Cabinet Division.

“No one will be allowed entry to school and colleges without a mask after reopening. The parents will have to play a vital role in this,” she added.

The decision to reopen all the primary, secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions on September 12 was finalised at Sunday’s meeting.