In a recent development, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has intervened, staying a High Court decision that ordered the closure of primary and secondary schools during Ramadan. Consequently, the government has been permitted to keep these educational institutions open for the first 10 days of Ramadan for primary schools and 15 days for secondary schools across Bangladesh.

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, leading a three-member bench of the Appellate Division, issued this order on Tuesday, overturning the previous High Court directive to close schools during Ramadan. The High Court's decision, made on Sunday, had suspended a prior notification that had kept schools open during the holy month.

The government had earlier amended the holiday schedule for educational institutions on February 8, allowing regular activities to continue in secondary schools for 15 days during Ramadan. This decision was met with legal challenge, prompting Supreme Court lawyer Md Elias Ali Mondal to file a writ petition with the High Court on February 25, contesting the legality of keeping schools open during Ramadan.

The writ petition named officials from the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, the director general of the Primary Education Directorate, and the director of the Children Welfare Trust as respondents, seeking directives to close schools during Ramadan until the legal matter was resolved. However, with the Supreme Court's recent decision, schools are now allowed to remain open as per the government's original notification.