An apparent fake Facebook page titled “Bangladesh Jatiya Shikkha Board” on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, published a post claiming that the government of Bangladesh has decided to reopen country’s educational institutions after the upcoming Eid al-Adha [scheduled to be observed on August 01, 2020]. The post also claimed that the government will ask everybody concerns to maintain social distancing at the educational institutions.
Since the followers of the mentioned Facebook page is over 2,50,000, this very post spread quite quickly amongst thousands of Facebook users in Bangladesh. Many Facebook users reacted to the post and shared it from their own profiles.
It is to mention that academic activities at the educational institutions across Bangladesh are to a halt now due to Covid 19 pandemic.
Our Finding
The government of Bangladesh has not taken any decision yet to reopen country’s educational institutions after the upcoming Eid al-Adha. The information released by the mentioned Facebook page is incorrect.
Fact-Check
Neither mainstream news-media outlets nor authorised government institutions did publish information claiming the fact that the government has taken a decision to reopen country’s educational institutions after the upcoming Eid.
At around 11:45pm last night, the public relations officer of education ministry Mr. Mohammad Abul Khayer confirmed in a Facebook post that information of reopening educational institutions after Eid is incorrect and it is a rumour. He also requested all students not to be confused finding such false information on Facebook.
While contacted, Mr. Siddiqur Rahman Khan, editor to www.dainikshiksha.com [a news portal on education sector] told FactKhuji that information of reopening educational institutions after the upcoming Eid is totally false. Mr. Siddiqur also informed FactKhuji that attempts were made by some groups before the last Eid al-Fitr too in order to make similar untrue information viral on Facebook.
A Fishy Facebook Page!
There is no government body bearing a resemblance to the name of the mentioned Facebook page — “Bangladesh Jatiya Shikkha Board” [Bangladesh National Education Board]. Infect, there is a website addressed http://www.educationboard.gov.bd/ which is operational under the ministry of education. Besides, there is a government body called Maddhamik O Uchcha Maddhamik Shikkha Board, Dhaka.
