Patna, July 28 (IANS) Most Bihar schools, including government and private, remained closed on Tuesday as mark of respect to former president A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who passed away on Monday, an official said.

"The education department has ordered closing of all schools in the state as mark of respect to the former president," education department official R.K Mahajan said.

The schools have been closed following Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's directive to pay tribute to the former president.

Nitish Kumar said that Kalam was always concerned about Bihar's development, especially of the rural areas.

"Bihar was close to Kalam's heart," Nitish Kumar added.