Several Catholic schools in Dhaka announced temporary closures on Thursday amid fears of political violence surrounding the International Crime Tribunal’s upcoming verdict date for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the Catholic News Agency (CNA).
The tribunal’s announcement of the verdict scheduled on November 13 heightens political tensions as the ousted Awami League urges supporters online to enforce a citywide blockade. Dhaka Metropolitan Police reported at least 17 crude bomb explosions in 15 areas and nine vehicles set on fire over the past 11 days.
Notre Dame University cancelled all examinations and shifted to online classes. At the same time, Notre Dame College suspended tests but kept classes open. St. Joseph’s International School closed after a bomb blast occurred nearby on November 8.
Officials from the Bangladesh Catholic Education Board Trust (BCEBT) said institutions independently decided to suspend on-site learning for safety reasons. Secretary Jyoti F. Gomes stated, “No one knows what will happen tomorrow,” emphasising that student safety was the top concern.
Catholic institutions operate one university, 18 colleges, 80 secondary schools, and nearly 1,000 primary and pre-primary schools across Bangladesh, educating about 300,000 students—most of them Muslim—in the South Asian nation.