Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday ruled out the possibility of opening educational institutions right now saying that students are the future of the country and the government does not want to put them at risk.
"May be we cannot open the educational institutions, because we want to advance step by step so that they (students) are not infected with coronavirus," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while publishing the results of SSC and equivalent examinations from her official residence Ganobhaban through videoconferencing with Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni who was present at her Ministry with chairmen of different education boards, UNB reports.
Dipu Moni, on behalf of the Prime Minister, received the results from the chairmen.
Sheikh Hasina said that students are the future of the country and the government does not want to put them in danger.
"That's the reason why we won’t open any educational institution right now. If we can overcome this (coronavirus) situation, we’ll open the educational institutions gradually," she said.
Terming the present situation as a crisis for the whole world, she asked all to have self confidence. "Self confidence is the biggest thing, whatever the situation comes we have to face that," she said.
The prime minister said the country already faced a cyclone and high tide amid this coronavirus pandemic.
"We’ll face all crises, including cyclone, with confidence and we’ll work together as we’re doing right now," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that the country will be able to overcome the coronavirus pandemic by working together. "That's the goal and that’s the decision of the government," she added.
Regarding the relaxing of the shutdown, the Prime Minister said that everything was closed for a long time. "Other countries are opening their wheels of economy in phases," she pointed out.
In this connection, she briefly described various stimulus packages and food and monetary assistances of the government for the welfare of the people.
She said the government in 19 packages allotted some Tk 1031.17 billion (103,117 crore) which is 3.7 per cent of the GDP.
"I do not know any country in the world announced such huge amount (of its GDP) as stimulus package," she said.
