Dhaka, July 31 — Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury has expressed his intention to reopen the country's educational institutions, which were closed due to violence surrounding the quota reform movement. This announcement was made during a special meeting held at the secretariat on Tuesday, focused on addressing the ongoing situation.

Minister Chowdhury emphasized the importance of public safety as a priority in the decision-making process. "On the question of opening educational institutions, we repeatedly say that public safety comes first," he stated. The minister indicated that the reopening would be a gradual process, undertaken in consultation with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of all parties involved.

"We are conducting security risk assessments daily," Chowdhury added. "Taking these into consideration, the opening time of the educational institutions will be communicated in due course."

To address concerns regarding the treatment of students involved in the movement, the minister assured that measures are being taken to prevent administrative harassment or legal issues for those who participated peacefully. "We have made an announcement so that innocent students do not face any kind of administrative harassment or legal complications. If any student or their parent believes they are innocent, they can contact us, and we will provide all necessary support," he said.

In light of the closures, the Education Minister also mentioned the possibility of implementing online classes. "Since the internet has become operational, we are considering the issue of starting online classes. We are already beginning discussions with universities on this matter," Chowdhury noted.

The government's approach to reopening educational institutions and ensuring the continuation of education, whether in-person or online, reflects a balanced consideration of safety and the need to maintain academic progress amidst the challenging circumstances.