DHAKA - Schools in Bangladesh reopened on May 5 and classes continued over the weekend, after a searing heatwave a week ago that suspended lessons as the country baked in temperatures that surged to well over 40 deg C.

Bangladesh has wavered over reopening schools for some 33 million schoolchildren amid pressure to prepare them for exams, even as the worst heatwave in seven decades sent temperatures to as high as 43.8 deg C earlier last week.

Many people have died across the region, and experts warned that the heat could exacerbate inequalities, widening a learning gap between developing and developed nations in the tropics.

Bangladesh, which follows the Islamic work week from Sunday to Thursday, will hold classes on Saturdays until further notice, said the Education Ministry.

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury has said schools would open on Friday if needed to complete the curriculum.

Parents have welcomed the decision.

“Children don’t want to study at home. This will help them make up for the loss,” said Ms Fatema Akhtar, who was waiting to pick up her Grade 2 daughter outside a school.

Scientists have said climate change is causing more frequent, severe and lengthy heatwaves during summer months.

The UN children’s agency has estimated that one in three children, or nearly 20 million children, in low-lying Bangladesh bears the brunt of such climate change every day.

Separately, a fire that broke out amid the heatwave on May 4 and spread across 1.2ha of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest that is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, was brought under control on May 5, officials said.

Intense heatwaves have caused water shortages and frequent power cuts, hitting the key apparel sector which accounts for more than 80 per cent of exports and supplies retailers such as H&M, Walmart and Gap. REUTERS