Following an extended break for a series of major religious festivals, including Durga Puja, secondary schools across country reopened on Wednesday (Oct 8), though attendance remained lower than usual, according to education officials.

The institutions had been closed since 28 September for Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Fateha-i-Yajdaham, Prabarana Purnima, and Lakshmi Puja.

While classes officially resumed today, many students were still absent as families continued to observe post-festival traditions or travel back from their hometowns.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education had instructed all schools to avoid scheduling examinations between 28 September and 9 October, ensuring that students and teachers could observe the overlapping religious holidays without academic disruption.

Government primary schools reopened a day earlier, on Tuesday (October 7), while colleges are scheduled to resume classes next Sunday.

SMS/