The government has banned the holding of coaching classes or tuition at both government and private primary schools after school hours or on weekends, with immediate effect.

In an office order issued on Monday, the Directorate of Primary Education announced the decision, stating that it has recently been noticed that, after school hours and on weekends, classrooms at primary schools are being used for coaching or tuition, which is deemed unwarranted.

“There is no option to use classrooms for coaching or tuition,” the office order added.

The directorate added that individuals responsible will be held accountable in the event of any defiance of the order.

The government took this step to prevent rape, sexual harassment, and other forms of oppression at educational institutions, according to sources within the directorate.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official at the directorate said that recent incidents of child rapes have sparked nationwide criticism, prompting the government to implement preventive measures, including the prohibition of children staying at school after hours.