The government yesterday extended the closure of schools and colleges to June 30.

Officials earlier discussed partially reopening the schools from today.

The decision was taken in consultation with the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 and it aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers, other employees and parents, according to separate statements by the primary and mass education ministries.

Students who would take the SSC and HSC exams would get priority when in-person classes reopen and the authorities will bring as many students as possible to the classrooms while maintaining social distance, a top education ministry official said.

On March 17 last year, the government closed all schools to contain the spread of coronavirus. It led to cancellation of exams and left academic calendars in disarray.

The HSC and its equivalent exams, slated for April 1, 2020, got cancelled. The government also cancelled Primary Education Completion, Junior School Certificate and their equivalent exams amid the pandemic.

Secondary and primary students were promoted to the next classes this year without examinations.

To avoid health risks, the government ordered schools to enroll students of all grades for the next academic session on the basis of a lottery.

The government also didn't hold the Textbook Festival on January 1 when textbooks are handed to primary and secondary students for free.