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According to a DSHE official, there are about 90 lakh students currently enrolled in sixth to tenth grades in schools across the country.

Rajuk Uttora Model College principal Brig Gen Kazi Showkat Alam said that education and preparation of students are being hampered.

“Coronavirus is an evolving situation. We are yet to take a concrete decision regarding exams. We will decide when the exam date is near,” he said.

DSHE Director General Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk said that if the situation remains the same and school shutdown continues, they have to think about alternatives regarding exams.

“We can think about giving the exam through TV education programme or online, if needed,” he added.

On March 22, the government postponed HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for April 1 due to fears over spread of coronavirus.

Over a million students are expected to sit for the HSC and equivalent examinations.

Teachers of English medium schools in the capital said usually final exams of different classes other than O-level and A-level exams take place in between May and June, and the current situation has cast a shadow on the exams.

Yasmeen Habib, vice principal of Sunnydale, said the syllabi of different classes were almost completed. “We’re sending work and links to lectures to students via email, aiming to complete the syllabus”.

“We have not so far deferred exam dates, but it is in our consideration,” she added.

English medium teachers said all O- and A-level exams for May-June under all boards have been cancelled, following the UK government’s announcement that UK schools, colleges and higher education providers will close down.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics officials say there are 78,700 students at 146 registered English medium schools in the country.

However, sources said there are about 350-400 such schools in the country, and many are not registered.