The government has decided to keep schools open, but emphasised the need for vaccination as the COVID-19 pandemic situation worsens in the country.

The authorities will take initiatives to ensure first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to 75.54 lakh school students (aged above 12) by January 31.

Education Minister Dipu Moni made the announcement at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday.

“We have decided not to close them for now. We will, instead, try to administer vaccines to all students and allow them to continue classes. With the omicron strain, even if students remain at home, they still face a risk of being infected by a family member,” she said.

Mentioning that the vaccination rate is poor among Qwami Madrasa students, the minister said, the ministry will give directives to the Local administration to take steps in this regard.

Students can get the vaccine showing their respective school’s identity card, she said.

Those students who face health risks are encouraged to stay at home and attend online classes.

From January 12, students between the ages of 12 and 17 will require at least one dose of the COVID vaccine before they are allowed to attend in-person classes.

There are over 1.16 crore students, aged between 12 and 18, across the country.

So far, 44 lakh students took the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and over 4 lakh got two doses.