Educational institutions across the capital are facing a state of uncertainty as the Awami League’s so-called “Dhaka lockdown” campaign unfolds. While many institutions have made independent decisions regarding classes and exams, students and parents are gripped by anxiety.
The result is a patchwork of arrangements: some schools and colleges continue in-person classes under government directives, others have switched to online learning, while some have closed entirely.
At the school level, the situation is especially varied. Due to security concerns, St Joseph Higher Secondary School and YWCA are conducting classes online. YWCA authorities have postponed the 13 November exams to 17 November, while 11th-grade exams will begin on 16 November. Meanwhile, Motijheel Ideal School, Manipur School, and South Point School are continuing classes as usual.
The uncertainty surrounding exams has left many students and parents anxious. Seventh-grade student Sanjid expressed his concerns, “Our family does not want us to go to school. Even teachers have said there have been incidents of arson in different parts of the country, so they have advised us to prepare for exams from home.”
A parent echoed the anxiety, saying, “We want our children to attend school, but we are worried about their safety in this situation. Online classes at home help ease some of that concern.”
At the higher secondary level, Dhaka College saw no classes yesterday, and today’s schedule remains uncertain. Dr Mahbubur Rahman Molla College is running classes in half-shifts, while Adamjee and Dhaka Residential Model College are continuing normally. Noter Dame College is holding classes, but its November 13 exams have been postponed to November 16.
Some institutions have suspended all activities. Following a morning explosion, Mohammadpur Preparatory School and College closed for the day. Similarly, missionary schools like St Gregory School and College have halted classes for security reasons. Viqarunnisa Noon School and College also remain closed. In Old Dhaka, Dhaka Collegiate School has not officially closed, but students themselves have chosen not to attend. An exception is Holy Cross College, where the school section is closed, but a science fair is ongoing in the college.
Universities respond to security concerns
A similar mixed picture has emerged at the university level. Almost all universities in Dhaka have taken independent measures in response to the “Dhaka lockdown” campaign, prioritising student and staff safety.
On Monday evening, a bus belonging to Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology was set on fire by miscreants in Dhanmondi, prompting private universities to adopt precautionary measures. Notices were issued on Tuesday, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) engaged with private institutions on Wednesday to keep academic activities running. Professor Mohammad Anwar Hossain, a UGC member responsible for private universities, said, “We are coordinating with universities to ensure no institution shuts down unnecessarily.”
ULAB informed students via email that all classes would be held online the following day due to unavoidable circumstances. Similarly, Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, BRAC, Southeast, AIUB, IUB, East West, and North South University (NSU) held online classes today. East West and ULAB also suspended their transportation services temporarily for safety reasons.
NSU’s registrar confirmed that, following UGC guidance, previously scheduled online classes were initially cancelled to resume in-person sessions the next day. Later, the university reverted to online classes.
Public universities are also affected. Classes at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Dhaka Medical College (DMC) remain suspended due to study breaks. A third-year DMC student, Souvik Islam, told TIMES of Bangladesh, “All batches are currently preparing for professional exams, so study breaks have been given.” BUET student Nuzhat confirmed that all classes are suspended during the semester break.
Jahangirnagar University is maintaining its usual transportation schedule but monitoring the situation closely. At Jagannath University, classes continue, though teachers have encouraged students not to attend, according to fourth-year student Fahim.
Following last night’s lockdown-related incidents, including padlocking of various Dhaka University gates by the banned organization Chhatra League, sufficient security arrangements have been put in place. Dhaka University proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “All classes will remain open tomorrow. Vehicles entering the campus will be checked carefully, and a vigilance team along with officials will be present on site to prevent any untoward incidents.”
Despite these measures, some departments at Dhaka University have informally shifted to online classes, even though no central directive has been issued.
