Amid a cold wave sweeping across Bangladesh, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has allowed the shutdown of secondary schools if the highest temperature of the districts they are located in is below 10°C.

A letter signed by SM Ziaul Haider Henry, assistant director (Secondary-2) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education was sent to the directors of nine regional offices on Tuesday.

The letter said: “A cold wave is sweeping in different districts of the country. It was learned that the normal activities of the students are being disrupted due to the ongoing cold wave. In the districts where the maximum temperature falls below 10°C (as per the weather forecast proof of the concerned meteorological office), the regional deputy directors will direct the secondary-level educational institutions to be closed.
Earlier in the day, the DSHE published a letter to allow the shutdown of secondary schools where the highest temperature falls below 17°C. However, the directorate issued a separate notice saying 10°C will be the threshold.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) anticipates this cold wave to persist.

The weather bulletin highlighted the contrasting temperatures across the country, with Sreemangal witnessing the lowest, while CoxÕs Bazar reported the highest at 24.5°C.

According to meteorological standards, temperatures ranging from 8-10°C signify a mild cold wave, 6-8°C a moderate one, and below 6°C a severe cold wave.