On one hand, The Met Office on Saturday forecasted that the prevailing heatwaves are likely to turn harsher while on the other, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on the same day, countrys all educational institutions except 3 public universities across the country have re-opened. Moreover, the ministry concern has given a set of directives to follow during summer for continuing class activities. Same directives and conditions were issued for primary stage students as well.
However, questions automatically arise - why the ministry has taken such a decision, particularly for primary stage students? And why the decision was taken despite the Met Offices forewarning? And also, are our juvenile students strong enough to cope with imminent severe heat waves as predicted?
We consider re-opening of schools as a rather conflicting decision since we haven so far witnessed the rigorousness of the situation. At least 7 people died of heatstroke each in Tangail, Naogaon, Sylhet, Munshiganj, Barishal, Coxs Bazar and Dhaka city on Saturday, raising the death toll to over 40 because of extreme weather conditions.
Now in case, our young school-going children suddenly succumb to heat related sicknesses, whom should we hold accountable or responsible? Even more contradictory is that, according to a directive, outdoor assembly and activities at schools, colleges and madrassas will remain suspended until the heat comes down to a tolerable level. That said - students will be naturally exposed to the scorching heat while commuting to schools which is unavoidable. And for far distance commuting in remote regions chances for contracting illness is even higher.
As intense heat waves are about to strike country with renewed vengeance anytime soon, we call on our education authorities to re-consider and suspend of opening schools, madrassas in the midst of this chaotic summer.
On last Wednesday, UNICEF too had expressed grave concern in a press release over health and safety of children in Bangladesh because of sweeping heat waves. Interestingly, the primary and mass education ministry had also ordered closure of all government primary schools in the country till April 27 due to concerns over the harmful impacts of rising temperature on children.
Need of the hour demands the countrywide school closure to be re-imposed until extreme weather conditions get better.
Needs be mentioned - on Friday, April 26, the country marked an unprecedented record-setting weather phenomenon. Including Friday, at least 24 days of this month has been heat-wave days. This is the highest number of heat-wave days in a year in Bangladesh in the last 76 years. And it will only get hotter in the days ahead.
The heat is here to stay, so we need to cope with it realistically, at least for the wellbeing of our children.
