As Bangladesh contends with a severe heatwave, the government has announced the resumption of academic activities in primary schools beginning Sunday, April 28.

The Primary and Mass Education Ministry, through a notification signed by Senior Information Officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, has outlined operational adjustments to mitigate the effects of the scorching conditions.

School hours will be restricted to the cooler morning period, from 8 am to 11:30 am. For schools with two shifts, the first shift will run from 8 am to 9:30 am, and the second from 9:45 am to 11:30 am.

However, pre-primary level classes will remain suspended until further notice, and daily school assemblies will be discontinued to minimize prolonged exposure to the heat.

This decision mirrors the action taken for secondary level schools and colleges, also slated to reopen on April 28, following an extended closure initially scheduled until April 27 due to the prolonged hot weather following Eid holidays. Outdoor activities requiring sun exposure will continue to be restricted at these institutions.

In response to educational disruptions caused by the heatwave and other interruptions, classes will be held on Saturdays until further notice, as per the ministry's notification.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecasted that the prevailing heatwave conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 42.7°C in Chuadanga on Friday, may persist for another 72 hours starting Thursday morning. The government's proactive measures aim to balance educational requirements with health and safety considerations during this challenging climatic period.