Dhaka, Feb. 10 -- The education ministry has suspended the process of bringing private schools and colleges under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme during the tenure of the interim government.

The decision was confirmed on Monday night by the ministry's spokesman Khalid Mahmud, who said the MPO enrolment process would remain on hold for the time being under the Muhammad Yunus-led administration.

The suspension comes after the ministry had moved to accept MPO applications toward the end of the government's tenure, a step that triggered questions over the timing and urgency of the initiative.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division had sought budgetary allocation to enlist 1,719 schools and colleges that were initially found "eligib...