In a response to the unrelenting cold wave, authorities in Joypurhat and Kurigram districts have announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools. The authorities in Joypurhat and Kurigram districts have announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools. This unprecedented move comes as temperatures plummet, posing significant challenges to the local communities. Joypurhat Deputy Commissioner (DC) Salehin Tanvir Gazi said that in light of the severe cold conditions, they have decided to shut all primary and secondary educational institutions for two days. The decision follows a report from the nearby Naogaon meteorological office, which recorded temperatures in Joypurhat district dipping below 10 degrees Celsius. Adding to the winter's grip, the Kurigram district administration has extended the closure of 1,848 educational institutions, including primary, secondary schools and madrasas, until temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius. Kurigram DC Mohammad Saidul Arif advised students to stay indoors and continue their studies, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. This shutdown comes after a directive from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on January 16. The DSHE granted regional authorities the power to close schools if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. A cold wave is sweeping different parts of the country, severely hampering educational activities, the DSHE circular stated, emphasizing the need for regional decision-making in these extreme weather conditions. As the northern parts of Bangladesh continue to grapple with this harsh cold wave, the closure of schools underscores the impact of extreme weather on education and daily life.

New Zealand had started reopening its borders in February, and the final phase was completed on Monday. The education and tourism sector are expected to receive a boost. New Zealand fully opened its borders Monday, for the first time since March 2020 when they were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The final phase of its borders reopening began at midnight local time (1300 GMT) Sunday with the maritime border and all overseas visitors allowed to submit visa applications. The country had started reopening in February, beginning with its own citizens. It’s been a staged and cautious process on our part since February as we, alongside the rest of the world continue to manage a very live global pandemic, while keeping our people safe, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Monday. Borders were reopened the previous night to visitors who need visas, and those on student visas are now also allowed to return to New Zealand. Cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts will also be allowed to dock at its ports. Most visitors are still required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and must take two tests after arriving. However, the quarantine requirements for those testing negative have been removed. In the Pacific, the federated states of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands also announced they would be opening their borders as of Monday. Education, tourism to get boost The education sector is hopeful that the reopening for international students will provide a boost to the industry. International students used to bring in around 5 billion New Zealand dollars (roughly $3.15 billion or euro 3.1 billion) per year, being one of the country’s top export earners. But that figure plummeted in 2021. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the reopening for cruise ships would also boost local industries. Most cruise visits are during the warmer months of October to April, and summer is our bumper tourism season overall. This means it will be full steam ahead for the industry, he said.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni has said that the closure of the educational institutions will not be extended further. The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the award distribution ceremony among the winners of Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) International Model Conference in the capital on Saturday. She said the decision in this regard would be taken at a meeting with the advisory expert committee considering the corona virus situation. The educational institutions have been closed since January 21 due to the uptrend of the coronavirus situation. Source: BSS AH

Around 50,000 small and medium traders have lost their jobs due to the closing of the Chaman border crossing at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Former president of Chaman Chamber of Commerce Jamaluddin Achakzai said the closure of the crossing is costing local traders Rs100 million each day, according to Express Tribune. Chaman is one of two main border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the second crossing present in the north at Torkham. As a result of the closure, 1,450 Pakistani trucks -- some loaded with dry fruits while others empty -- are parked near the other side of the border, Express Tribune reported. Meanwhile, Pakistani trucks on this side of the border were also parked whereas the crew of these trucks have nowhere to go. "Some of them don't even have money for food and other basic essentials," he added. Haji Jalat Khan, another former president of the Chaman Chamber, called on the federal government to announce an immediate reopening of the border. Afghanistan and Pakistan have two border crossings, -- Torkham and Chaman -- both have been closed on and off since the Taliban took control in August. Islamabad -- which has closed the border several times in recent months -- blamed the Taliban for the recent closure of the Chaman crossing, however, the latter has not issued any official statement over the matter so far, according to Samaa TV.  Source: ANI   BM

The tenure of land border closure between Bangladesh and India has been increased for more 15 days due to the deteriorated coronavirus transmission situation. According to the foreign ministry sources, the land border between the two neighboring countries will be closed till July 14. The foreign ministry sources said, the government on April 26 announced closure of land borders with India at the first phase on pretext of the corona situation. After that decision was taken to extend the closure of borders till June 30 in four phases. On Monday after holding the interministerial meeting Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen informed that the tenure of closure has been extended for another phase. Though the tenure has been increased but the Bangladeshi people, whose visa expired after going to India for treatment, can return to their homes by getting permission from the embassy.   AH  

The government has announced extending closure of Bangladesh land border with India for more 16 days. As a result the land border between the two countries will be closed till June 30. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen confirmed the information to the media on Sunday. On April 26 Bangladesh closed its land border with India for 14 days following transmission of coronavirus Indian variant. The tenure expired on May 9. As the corona transmission rate was not under control so the border closure extended for more 14 days. The tenure was scheduled to end on June 14. In this situation land border closure has been extended till June 30. Though land border is closed but the Bangladeshi nationals who had visas for less than 15 days are permitted to return to the country over condition of maintaining 14-day compulsory quarantine. At first stage after closing the border with India Bangladesh nationals got the opportunity to return from India through Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari land port. Later the government allowed the Bangladeshi nationals to return to their mother country through Darshana, Hili and Sonamukhi  port. But the movement of goods laden automobiles between Bangladesh and India has been operational in the corona situation. AH

The prevailing closure of all educational institutions in the country (except Qaumi) has been extended till February 28 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A notification, sent by the Ministry of Education, said today (Sunday). According to the notification, educational institutions have been closed since March 17, 2020 as the first corona patient was identified in the country on March 8 last year. It also mentioned that the online educational activities will continue during the holidays. Source: BSS AH

The closure of educational institutions of the country has been extended once more due to coronavirus pandemic situation. The announcement of the extension of closure came on Friday. According to the new announcement the closure has been extended up to February 14. M A Khayer, Public Relations Officer of the education ministry  said that Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni took the decision after consultation with the concerned groups. The education institutions have been closed since March 17 last year after detection of first corona patient in the country on March 8. The closure was extended till January 30 latest in several stages. And at last it has been extended till February 14, 2021. Meanwhile, the online education service will continue during the closure and Qawmi madrasas will be excluded from the announcement of closure. AH  

The ongoing closure of educational institutions has been extended (except qaumi madrasas) till January 30, 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic situation in the country. M A Khayer, Public Relations Officer of education ministry delivered the information on Friday. Mentionable, the educational institutions of the country have been closed since March 17, 2020 after diagnosis of first Covid-19 patient on March 8, 2020. It was extended in several phases and latest extension was till January 16, 2021. As corona situation has not improved in the winter, so the closure is extended. The Primary Education Completion (PEC) and Ebtedayee completion, Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations have been cancelled this year due the corona situation. On the other hand decision has been taken to evaluate the HSC results based on the results of JSC and SSC. Primary students were auto-promoted to the next class. Students of class six to nine were evaluated through assignment process. Besides, University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted to take honors and masters final examinations in the higher education level. AH  

The education ministry has extended the ongoing closure of educational institutions till January 16, 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic situation. But the Qawmi Madrasas will be exempted from this directive. The information was delivered through a press release of the education ministry signed by its Public Relations Officer M A Khayer. The educational institutions have been closed since March 17 after first coronavirus infected patient was traced in the country. From that period the closure have been extended in different phases. Earlier on December 15 Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury informed that the ongoing closure might be extended for schools and colleges. AH