The primary and secondary educational institutes can be kept closed if the temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius.

The Directorate of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (DSHE) issued seperate letters to the regional offices in this regard on Tuesday.

The government issued the instruction amid the bone-chilling coldwave disrupting daily life across the country since last week, with a forecast of mild to moderate coldwave for the next few days from the meteorological department.

"Normal educational activities are reportedly being hampered due to the cold wave. In such cases, deputy directors (education) will order the closing of secondary schools in those districts where the temperature falls below 10°C," read the circular signed by SM Ziaul Haider Henry, Assistant Director (Secondary-2) at the DSHE.