United News of Bangladesh

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Bangladesh on Monday signed a Grant Agreement (G/A) for the 2026 Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) programme, under which 33 government officials will pursue higher studies at Japanese universities. JICA Bangladesh Chief Representative Takahashi Junko and Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky signed the agreement at a ceremony in Dhaka. JICA organises training for legal professionals  Under the agreement, up to JPY 567 million, equivalent to around US$3.51 million, will be provided for the scholarship programme. Of the 33 officials, 30 will pursue master’s degrees while three will undertake doctoral studies at reputed Japanese universities. The JDS programme provides opportunities for promising young government officials to pursue postgraduate studies in Japan, with the aim of developing human resources capable of contributing to the formulation and implementation of policies for Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. Besides higher education, JDS fellows will have opportunities to learn about Japanese culture, traditions, food and environment. Since the programme began in 2002, a total of 623 Bangladeshi government officials have received JDS scholarships. Earlier, Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky signed the Exchange of Notes (E/N) for the project.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Monday said Bangladesh must reverse the brain drain by bringing back talented students and researchers from abroad if it wants to establish itself as an education hub. “We have no shortage of talented teachers and students in our country. Our students are doing very well in research and academic results at universities abroad. We must bring them back through reverse brain drain and put that talent to use,” he said. No plan now to nationalise private primary schools: Milon The minister was speaking as the chief guest at the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) Bangladesh Forum 2026 at a city hotel. The forum, themed “Benchmark Bangladesh: Building World-Class Universities Through Global Standards,” was attended by representatives from more than 90 universities across Bangladesh. Milon said there is no alternative to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) if the country’s large population is to be transformed into a productive workforce. He called for greater emphasis on TVET at the university level and wider use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education. The minister also stressed the need for universities to focus more on research to improve Bangladesh’s position in global QS rankings and underscored the importance of cross-border education. “We want to build Bangladesh as an education hub. We have that capacity,” he said. Talking to reporters after the event, Milon said more than 12 lakh applications have been submitted for re-evaluation of SSC answer scripts this year, describing the unusually high volume as a major challenge for the re-evaluation process. “It appears almost all students want their scripts reassessed,” Milon said. He said the government is planning to formulate a new policy on answer-script re-evaluation to establish clear criteria for determining which scripts could be reassessed. The minister also said the government has taken steps to simplify visa procedures to attract foreign investment and create greater opportunities for foreign students to study in Bangladesh.

Two students of the Music Department of Dhaka University have received the ‘Firoza Begum Memorial Gold Medal’ for securing the highest CGPA in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) examinations in 2022 and 2023. Besides, 11 students of the 2023-24 first-year undergraduate programme received the ‘Firoza Begum Memorial Scholarship’. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr A B M Obaidul Islam handed over the scholarship cheques and certificates to the recipients at a ceremony held at the Special Conference Room of Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Tuesday. Treasurer Prof Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury chaired the programme. Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof Dr Md Abul Kalam Sarker and ACI Foundation Chairman and trustee fund donor M Anis Ud Dowla addressed the event as special guests. Sadia Afrin Mallik, chief of cultural initiatives at The Daily Star and founding president of ‘Gems of Nazrul’, delivered a memorial lecture titled “Surer Dhrubatara: Sur Samraggi Firoza Begum.” Department Chairperson Dr Priyanka Gope delivered the vote of thanks, while Acting Registrar Munsi Shams Uddin Ahmed moderated the programme. Paying deep tribute to the late singer Firoza Begum, the vice-chancellor said she had made outstanding contributions to the development and enrichment of the country’s music sector. “The nation will always remember her contributions with respect,” he said, congratulating the gold medalists and scholarship recipients. He urged the students to uphold the values and qualities of Firoza Begum and play a leading role in building an enlightened society. The gold medal recipients are Nurejannat Afris and Arpita De. The scholarship recipients are Rushda Jahan Ruhi, Atasi De, Pushpita Roy Pushpa, Bhagyalakshmi Chakraborty, Maysha Farzana Oishi, Dip Das, Sheikh Jerin Shabnam, Ratul De Dipto, Purvasha Mondal, Arpita Sikdar and Mayesha Sultana Urbi.

Applications are now open for No. 1 Baba'r Kriti Santan Songbordhona 2026, an initiative that celebrates the sacrifices and dedication of marginal tea stall owners by honouring their children who achieved GPA-5 in the 2026 SSC and equivalent examinations. Behind every successful child, there are the sacrifices, hard work and unconditional love of their parents. Across Bangladesh, thousands of marginal tea stall owners continue to overcome financial hardship and everyday challenges to ensure a brighter future for their children. To recognise these resilient parents and celebrate their children's achievements, No. 1 Brand is organising No. 1 Baba'r Kriti Santan Songbordhona-2026 for the third consecutive year, said a media statement on Tuesday. Under this initiative, students whose parents are marginal tea stall owners and who achieved GPA-5 in the 2026 SSC and equivalent examinations will be honoured. Selected students will receive a one-time education scholarship, an HSC all-subject online course, a certificate, a crest and special gifts, it said. Eligible students who achieved GPA-5 can apply free of charge through www.no1family.com until August 20, 2026. Following the verification process, the selected students and their parents will be invited to Dhaka to receive the honour at a special ceremony. Over the past two years, No. 1 has honoured many marginal tea stall owners and their talented children from different parts of the country through this initiative. This year's edition will continue to celebrate the dreams, sacrifices, hard work and achievements of tea stall owner families across Bangladesh.  

A total of 3,930 students failed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in Bagerhat this year, while not a single student from a school in Sharankhola upazila managed to pass. According to the District Education Office, 11,687 students from 296 schools in Bagerhat appeared for the SSC examinations under the Jashore Education Board. Of them, 7,757 passed and 3,930 failed. A total of 737 students secured GPA-5, while the overall pass rate in the district was 66.37%. Nearly 7 lakh fail SSC, equivalent exams At DN Girls Secondary School in Sharankhola upazila, all four students who appeared in the SSC examination failed. District Education Officer Md Sadekul Islam confirmed the information. Meanwhile, 4,674 students from Bagerhat appeared in examinations under the Madrasha Education Board. Of them, 2,594 passed and 1,080 failed, while 52 students secured GPA-5. The pass rate was 55.49%. Under the Technical Education Board, 1,524 students from Bagerhat took part in the examinations. Of them, 807 passed and 717 failed. A total of 23 students secured GPA-5, with the pass rate standing at 52.95%. At Bagerhat Government Girls’ High School, 250 students appeared for the SSC examination this year. Of them, 30 failed, while 70 secured GPA-5. The school recorded an overall pass rate of 86.8%. Asked why 30 students from the school failed, acting headteacher Md Shahidul Islam said many of the students had a weak relationship with their textbooks and those who failed had poor attendance at school. He also attributed the poor performance to disruptions in education during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying students’ academic foundations had weakened during that period. “In many cases, the students’ answers did not match the questions properly, and the curriculum was also partly responsible,” he said. The headteacher also cited a lack of awareness among some parents, saying many believed their responsibility ended once they managed to get their children admitted to a government school. The SSC results were published on Monday.

Nearly seven lakh students failed this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. A total of 18,29,485 students registered to sit for the examinations this year. Of them, 11,38,877 passed while 6,90,608 failed. The results of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations were published on Monday, with the average pass rate dropping to 62.25 percent. Education Minister Dr Ehsanul Haque Milon announced the results at a press briefing held at the Secondary and Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education at around 10am. The pass rate has declined compared with last year. Last year, the average pass rate in the SSC and equivalent examinations under 11 education boards was 68.45 percent. This year, the pass rate dropped by 6.2 percentage points. The SSC and equivalent examinations began on April 21 and concluded on May 20.

The results of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations were published on Monday, with the average pass rate dropping to 62.25 percent. Education Minister Dr Ehsanul Haque Milon announced the results at a press briefing held at the Secondary and Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education at around 10am. The pass rate has declined compared with last year. Last year, the average pass rate in the SSC and equivalent examinations under 11 education boards was 68.45 percent. This year, the pass rate has dropped by 6.2 percentage points. This year’s SSC and equivalent exams began on April 21 and concluded on May 20.

The results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations 2026 will be published simultaneously across Bangladesh on Monday. Students will be able to access their results online through the respective education board websites, from their educational institutions, and via SMS after the official publication. To receive SSC results via SMS under the general education boards, candidates should type SSC, followed by a space, the first three letters of their board name, another space, their roll number, another space, and the examination year, and send the message to 16222. Results can also be accessed online through www.educationboardresults.gov.bd by entering the candidate’s roll and registration numbers. Educational institutions can download detailed result sheets by entering their EIIN numbers on www.dhakaeducationboard.gov.bd. The results were initially expected to be released on July 20 but were delayed as preparations for publication could not be completed on time.  This year's SSC and equivalent examinations began on April 21 and concluded on May 20, with more than 1.85 million students appearing under the country's education boards.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Sunday said science toys and various hands-on learning materials will be introduced in the primary school curriculum to make children’s learning more enjoyable and practical. The government is also taking an initiative to introduce math labs in primary schools, where students will learn basic mathematical concepts such as shapes, sizes, multiplication, division, addition and subtraction through practical activities and learning materials, he said while addressing a programme titled “Foundational Learning Action Tracker” organised by UNICEF Bangladesh at a city hotel. The state minister said greater emphasis is being placed on science, mathematics, design and creativity in primary education. Highlighting the need to address gaps in foundational learning, he said one of the most important goals of primary education is to ensure that every child develops basic reading, writing and mathematical skills. Regarding out-of-school children, Bobby Hajjaj said the government is implementing various programmes to bring children who are currently outside the education system into school. He said initiatives have also been taken to provide various forms of support, including free school uniforms, to help children stay in school. The first-ever free school uniform distribution programme will be inaugurated on August 16, the state minister said. Regarding the mid-day meal programme, he said steps have been taken to address the shortcomings and limitations identified during implementation of the pilot project. Primary and Mass Education Secretary Jasmin Nahar, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi, among others, attended the programme.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in collaboration with UNICEF Bangladesh and development partners, on Sunday convened a national consultation workshop to review and complete Bangladesh's Foundational Learning Action Tracker (FLAT)-RAPID Survey 2026, reaffirming a shared commitment to helping every child build the skills they need to learn, thrive and succeed. The workshop brought together senior officials from the Ministry , the Directorate of Primary Education, the National Academy for Primary Education, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, development partners and UNICEF. Participants reviewed progress, validated evidence, and identified priorities to strengthen children's learning across the country. Bangladesh has made significant progress in expanding access to education, said a press release. The next challenge is ensuring that every child is learning. Strong reading, maths and socio-emotional skills developed in the early years are the foundation for future learning, better opportunities, and the country's continued development. "Every child deserves the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life," said Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Representative ad interim to Bangladesh. "Today's workshop reflects our shared commitment to using evidence to strengthen education policies and investments, so that every child can build strong foundations for learning and reach their full potential." Launched by UNICEF and the Hempel Foundation in 2023, the FLAT initiative helps countries track actions to improve children's learning. Bangladesh's completed survey will contribute to the global FLAT 2026 findings, expected in October, while also helping inform national education planning and future investments to improve learning outcomes for children.