In the face of protests at different public universities across the country, the government has decided to reopen the residential halls on 17 May and classes will be held at the classrooms from 24 May.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said in a virtual briefing on Monday afternoon on various issues of higher education amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Before reopening, the teachers, students and employees will be vaccinated," the minister added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked concerned ministries to meet over taking decision on reopening the other educational institutions.

"A meeting will be held by next week to form a committee, which will decide about the reopening after observing the current pandemic situation," Cabinet Secretary Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told media after cabinet meeting today.

The students of different universities, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jahangirnagar and Chattogram, intensified their protests since Saturday with the demand of reopening halls, which had been kept closed citing pandemic.

The school, colleges and universities were shut in March last year amid the outbreak of dreaded Covid-19 in Bangladesh. Classes and examinations were taken online during the pandemic.