‘Study should not be stopped, even if the educational institutions are closed this time’

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University and Professor in the Department of Marketing at Dhaka University, said, “Our country has suffered far less than many countries in the world. In our country, unlike other countries, not so many people have died or been affected. What is the main reason for this? Are we overly hygienic? No, we don't follow any hygiene rules compared to that. But one factor is at work here.

Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman said this in an exclusive interview with Bangla Insider on various issues including concern about the new variant Omicron, the possibility of closure of educational institutions, and HSC examination starting from today. For readers, Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman has been interviewed by Mahmudul Hasan Tuhin, Bangla Insider's own correspondent.

Prof. Dr. Mizanur Rahman said that there is a historical connection between keeping the educational institutions open and increasing the infection rate or death rate. There have been many epidemics in the world in the last one-two hundred years and the infections and mortality rates were higher in places where educational institutions were kept open. The main reason is that young children are known to be very good carriers of the virus. They are not very infected with the virus but they carry the virus home with them.

"In our country, schools and colleges have been closed from the beginning, which has reduced our infection rate," he said. So whether the closure of schools and colleges has any effect on our well-being is now a matter of research. And if the infection increases, schools, and colleges must be closed for the safety of children.

Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman said that even if the school is closed this time, the study will not be stopped. Now there is no problem with the internet or device. Adequate training activities in this regard have also been completed in educational institutions. And I have seen with different exams that 200 students out of 200 are present in online exams. Therefore, even if the schools and colleges are closed again due to natural causes, the studies should not be stopped.

He further added that this time those who are giving intermediate exams have been facing great difficulties in their studies for the last two years. But for those who will take the exam in the future, if we can stay well till next March, April, then the syllabus will be finished for them if the teachers take classed in full force. Then they can take the exam with a complete syllabus.