Bangladesh’s Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has issued strict instructions for all primary educational institutions to observe Eid-e-Miladunnabi with due dignity. The directive, issued Sunday by the ministry’s Administration-2 branch and signed by Deputy Secretary Md Shamsul Arif, requires schools nationwide to hoist the national flag and hold special programmes.

The measure follows decisions from an inter-ministerial meeting on the observance, chaired by the Religious Affairs Ministry secretary. That meeting decided that national flags would be raised at government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, armed forces facilities, universities and all educational institutions across the country.

Primary schools must arrange discussions on the life and work of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Islamic teachings including peace, progress, harmony, tolerance, universal brotherhood, human rights and women’s dignity. They are also instructed to hold prayer gatherings, hamd-naat performances, poetry recitals, cultural contests and quizzes. Education officials at divisional, district, upazila and thana levels have been directed to ensure implementation. A public holiday will be observed on Wednesday, August 26.