In a bid to contain the spreading of Covid-19, the Basic Education Department at the Ministry of Education yesterday issued an order to temporarily close basic education schools, private schools, summer courses, and new curriculum courses nationwide. 

U Ko Lay Win, Director-General of Department of Basic Education said: “The ministry issued four letters on the evening of 16 March. These orders will be available on the DBE’s Facebook page and website. 

The President Office has banned mass gatherings, events, and festivals from 13 March till 30 April as the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. 

In addition, all works pertaining to the trips of outstanding students scheduled from 25 April to 5 May, and the preliminary coordination meeting, are suspended. 

The ministry also bans the basic instructor course for physical and sports techniques and the new curriculum courses for Grade-4, 7 and 10 teachers. 

The ministry previously planned to give training to teachers for the new curriculum courses for Grade-4, 7 and 10.