Schools in Bengal are set to remain closed in July, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said.

“We have already announced that the schools will remain shut till June 30. I think the closure will be extended to July. The schools will not function in July,” she said.

“However, board examinations like higher secondary will be held. The education department will make a detailed announcement later,” Mamata added.

The chief minister said the education fraternity must see to it that students do not fall behind because of the long closure. “The studies of the boys and girls are suffering, no doubt…. We have to work for the interest of the students,” she said.

Education minister Partha Chatterjee said his department would soon issue a notification, extending the closure to July.

Asked about colleges and the universities, he said: “I am meeting the VCs on Saturday to discuss several issues like exam roster, maintaining safety.... There, we will decide whether the closure should be extended to the colleges and universities as well.”

The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education will hold exams in three remaining papers on July 2, 6 and 8.

The remaining ICSE and ISC exams will be held between July 1 and 14. The CBSE’s pending Class X and XII exams will be held from July 1-15.