Schools told to run activities year-round

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has directed educational institutions to organise sports, co-curricular and cultural activities throughout the year alongside academic programmes to support students’ physical, mental and overall development.

The directive came in a circular signed by DSHE Deputy Director (Physical Education) Professor Md Shahidul Islam on Thursday and sent to all regional directors, deputy directors (secondary) and district education officers.

The circular lists 35 activities, including 15 sports such as football, volleyball, chess, cricket, table tennis, kabaddi, badminton, handball, basketball, hockey, traditional and rural games, swimming, athletics, taekwondo and martial arts.

Thirteen co-curricular activities include Bangla and English speech and debate, impromptu speaking, wall magazines, book reading, daily newspaper reading, creative writing, environmental protection, digital content creation, mental health awareness, the Mathematics Olympiad and the ‘One Child, One Tree’ programme.

Cultural activities include music, recitation, solo acting, quizzes, dance, graffiti, festivals and programmes on traditions and heritage, and drawing.

The circular instructed institutions to arrange the activities at convenient times throughout the year in coordination with academic programmes and ensure regular student participation.

It also directed institutions to give due importance to organisations and clubs such as Boy Scouts, Rover Scouts, Girl Guides, science clubs, debate clubs, and health and physical education clubs.

The DSHE said participation in sports, co-curricular and cultural activities alongside academic education would help students develop physically and mentally.

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