Bangladesh closes schools to conserve energy amid Middle East conflict

Dhaka — The Government of Bangladesh has temporarily closed all educational institutions in the country as part of an emergency measure to maintain electricity and fuel supplies amid an increasingly severe global energy crisis caused by tensions from the Middle East conflict.

The decision applies to all state and private universities, English-medium secondary schools, and training centres, which have been instructed to halt teaching and learning activities from Monday.

Bangladesh authorities stated that the measure was taken to reduce electricity consumption and fuel for transportation amid global oil market volatility caused by attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

Based on instructions from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education, all universities have been asked to advance their Eid al-Fitr holiday schedules earlier, so there will be no university activities in the country.

Local officials said the temporary closure would help reduce electricity usage in classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, and administrative buildings, as well as reduce fuel consumption from travel by students, lecturers, and campus staff.

“The decision was taken to reduce electricity and fuel consumption, given the current global situation,” read a statement from the relevant ministry received by university officials in Bangladesh.

English-medium secondary schools and training centres in Bangladesh were also subject to the closure order starting Monday.

The measure was taken as Bangladesh faced increasing pressure on its energy supply chain due to disruptions in the global fuel market following the Middle East conflict.

Bangladesh authorities believe that efforts to conserve fuel and electricity are a critical policy to ensure electricity supplies are maintained and basic services in the country continue to operate.

In addition to closing educational institutions, the local government has also issued guidance to encourage institutions and offices to save electricity, including optimising natural light and reducing power consumption and use of unnecessary lighting.

However, analysts have warned that prolonged disruption to the academic calendar could pose challenges for students if the energy crisis continues.

The Bangladesh government has not yet indicated when the school closures will end. Educational institutions are nonetheless expected to resume academic activities following the Eid al-Fitr holiday if energy supplies improve.