Education
Primary schools to reopen on March 1: Ministry
Primary schools in Bangladesh will reopen for in-person classes on March 1, with strict Covid-safety protocols in place.
Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, public relations officer of primary and mass education ministry, told UNB on Friday.
On Thursday, Education Minister Dipu Moni said all secondary, higher secondary and university-level educational institutions in Bangladesh will reopen for physical classes on February 22.
At the same time, preparations are being made to reopen primary schools in another two weeks, said Dipu Moni.
Read: Senior schools, universities to reopen on Feb 22: Dipu Moni
"In-person classes at primary schools will remain closed for another 10 to 14 days. Measures are being taken to vaccinate children below 12 years. The health and family welfare ministry and the Directorate General of Health Services are looking into the WHO approval issues," she added.
Meanwhile, the ministry of primary and mass education has already prepared the list of students eligible for Covid jabs at all primary schools, according to the minister.
On January 21, the government announced that all schools and colleges in Bangladesh will remain closed from January 21 to February 6 amid a renewed surge in Covid-19 cases largely due to the new Omicron variant.
The shutdown was extended till February 20 for the safety of the students as the virus continued to spread.
The following day, the education ministry issued an 11-point directive, including the resumption of online classes for schools and colleges.
Read:Covid surge: Closure of schools, colleges extended until Feb 20
Besides, the vaccination of students, aged between 12 and 17 years, against Covid-19 was directed to be continued following the health guidelines in coordination with the zonal offices of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, District Education Offices, Upazila Secondary Education Offices, local administrations and Civil Surgeons.
After a 17-month Covid-induced closure, the students in Bangladesh returned to their classrooms on September 12 last year.
The government shut the educational institutions on March 17, 2020, after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8 and later the closure was extended several times.
Scholarship: S Korea invites applications from Bangladeshi students by Mar 5
The government of South Korea has asked Bangladeshi students to submit applications by March 5 for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), 2022.
South Korea will provide 14 Bangladeshi students with scholarship opportunities for graduate studies in Korea for the 2022 academic year.
At present, around 1,500 Bangladeshi students are studying in South Korea in various universities.
Read Study in France: Scholarship Opportunities and Overview for Bangladeshi Students
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun said young people are the crucial component and asset for the future of the bilateral relationship between Korea and Bangladesh.
He wants to see more Bangladeshi students could find chances to study in Korea in the coming years.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka announced the 2022 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) programme for graduate studies sponsored by the Korean Government recently.
Read: UGC to bring all varsity students under digital device coverage by 2023
According to the announcement, applications for the 2022 GKS Graduate Studies will be done in two different tracks; five students for the Embassy track and nine students for the university track.
Applications for the Embassy track should be submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka while the University track application should be submitted directly to the universities.
Scholarship for Master’s degree will be given for three years including one year of Korean language program while the Doctoral degree scholarship is for four years including one year of Korean language program.
Read Study in the Netherlands: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students
Since 2011, 172 Bangladeshi students have been benefitted from the GKS programme among which 137 were in the graduate programs while 35 were undergraduate programs.
In 2021, 17 Bangladeshi students went to Korea through the GKS programme among which 14 were graduate students and three were undergraduates.
Many graduates of the GKS programme are contributing actively in various sectors such as universities, private or public companies in Bangladesh and Korean companies like Samsung, LG or Hyundai, said the South Korean Embassy in Dhaka.
Read Higher Study in China: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students
Senior schools, universities to reopen on Feb 22: Dipu Moni
All secondary, higher secondary and university-level educational institutions in Bangladesh will reopen for physical classes on February 22, with strict Covid-safety protocols in place.
The decision has been taken in view of the declining Covid cases across Bangladesh, Education Minister Dipu Moni told reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday.
"Students aged 12 and above who have been vaccinated with the second dose of a Covid vaccine will be able to physically attend classes, while those who have jabbed only with the first dose will attend online classes," she said.
At the same time, preparations are being made to reopen primary schools in another two weeks, said Dipu Moni.
"In-person classes at primary schools will remain closed for another 10 to 14 days. Measures are being taken to vaccinate children below 12 years. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry and the Directorate General of Health Services are looking into the WHO approval issues," she added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has already prepared the list of students eligible for Covid jabs at all primary schools, according to the Minister.
So far, 1,26,57,222 students have received the first Covid shot, while 34,40,448 have got the second dose of a Covid vaccine.
Asked if the number of classes will increase after the reopening of schools, Dipu Moni said, "We will try to increase the number of classes as the infection rate declines."
Read: Covid-19 Advisory Committee to meet tonight to discuss reopening of educational institutions: Dipu
Covid-19 Advisory Committee to meet tonight to discuss reopening of educational institutions: Dipu
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday said she hopes to reopen the educational institutions by this month, but a decision will be taken after a meeting with Covid-19 advisory committee later in the night.
“We will sit with the National Advisory Committee on Covid tonight and we’ll make a decision after observing the current Covid situation,” she told reporters.
Read: Dipu Moni hints at reopening of educational institutions soon
The matter will also be discussed with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said Dipu who talked to journalists after attending the oath taking ceremony for 29 newly elected UP chairmen at Chandpur deputy commissioner office.
She said when reopened classes will be taken considering the Covid situation.
On January 21, the government announced that all the schools and colleges of the country will remain closed from January 21 to February 6 amid a renewed surge in Covid-19 cases largely due to new Omicron variant.
The shutdown was extended until February 20 for the safety of the students as the virus continued to spread.
The following day, the education ministry issued an 11-point directive, including resuming online classes, for schools and colleges during the closure.
Besides, the vaccination of students, aged between 12 to 17 years, against Covid-19 was directed to be continued following the health guidelines in coordination with the zonal offices of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, District Education Office, Upazila Secondary Education Offices, local administrations and Civil Surgeons.
Read: Removal of VC up to President Hamid: Dipu Moni to SUST students
After a 17-month Covid-induced closure, the students in Bangladesh returned to their classrooms on September 12 last year.
The government shut the educational institutions on March 17, 2020, after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases on March 8 and later the closure was extended several times.
UGC to bring all varsity students under digital device coverage by 2023
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated steps aimed at ensuring equal access to education for all and eliminating the digital divide in a hybrid system of teaching.
To start with, top UGC officials said, all university students would be brought under the digital device coverage by next year.
“The UGC has taken steps to ensure 100% internet connectivity through Bangladesh Research and Education Network and installed campus networks at all universities,” said Prof Kazi Shahidullah, the UGC.l chairman.
Besides, the UGC has a plan to provide data centre facilities to 50% of university students by 2025 while bringing 100% of students under the laptop or digital device coverage by 2031, he said.
Read: HSC Results: Jashore Board secures highest pass rate & Dhaka excels in GPA 5
Recently, the UGC has adopted a blended learning system after coordinating onsite, online, TV and other medium.
"The issue of smartphone and internet connectivity have been added to the blended learning system using maximum use of modern technology and eliminating the digital divide," the chairman said.
The blended learning system will ensure inclusive higher education by 2023 as well as create opportunities for equal access to education for all, he added.
SUST to resume classes online from Tuesday
After 27 days of stalemate Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) will resume all its academic activities online from Tuesday.
The decision came after an emergency syndicate meeting of the university led by Vice Chancellor Farid Uddin Ahmed on Sunday evening. A day after the protesting students suspended their movement demanding his resignation.
"The residential halls for students will be reopened from Monday and physical classes, exams will resume from February 22 if the government does not impose any more restrictions for Covid-19, '' said Ishfaqul Hossain, Registrar of the university.
Read:SUST students suspend movement after meeting with ministers
SUST authority announced a shutdown following a clash on the campus between police and the protesting students on January 16. The students were asked to leave the dormitories by 12pm the next day.
The police action on the students triggered a long protest and hunger strike in campus rejecting the authority’s orders.
The students of SUST suspended their movement on Saturday following a successful meeting with Education Minister Dipu Moni on Friday.
They suspended the protest after VC Farid Uddin Ahmed expressed regret over the police action on protesting students on January 16 and apologised earlier on Saturday.
On Friday, regarding the student’s demand for VC's resignation, Dipu Moni said it will be placed before the President as he is the Chancellor of the university, holding the power to appoint and remove someone from the post of VC.
Regarding the two cases filed against the protesting students, she said arrangements will be made to withdraw those cases as soon as possible.
The protests began in the middle of January. Over two dozen SUST students who went on fast unto death ended their strike on January 26. They broke the fast after former SUST Prof Zafar Iqbal offered them water to drink.
The students embarked on the hunger strike on the university campus on January 19, demanding the resignation of the VC over the police crackdown on their fellows.
The strike was launched after police swooped on the protesting students, charging batons and firing sound grenades and shotgun bullets. On the other hand, the police had filed a case against 300 unnamed protesting students.
Read: SUST VC finally apologises over cop attack on students
The alleged attack was carried out to free the VC from confinement in the university’s IICT building, and it had left 40 people hurt, including teachers, students and cops.
Zafrin Ahmed, a provost of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall, was at the centre of the initial unrest as she allegedly misbehaved with some students on January 13 when they met her with some complaints.
She later resigned from her post, citing health issues.
HSC Results: Jashore Board secures highest pass rate & Dhaka excels in GPA 5
Jashore Board has topped in the pass rate of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations while Dhaka Board has recorded the highest number of GPA 5.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday unveiled the results of HSC and equivalent examinations 2021, joining a function at International Mother Language Institute virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban.
Read: HSC exams: 5 institutions witness 0% pass rate
This year, the average pass rate in HSC and equivalent examinations is 95.26 per cent.
A total of 98.11 per cent students passed the HSC exams under Jashore Board, 97.49 per cent in Cumilla, 97.29 per cent in Rajshahi Board, 96.20 percent in Dhaka Board, 95.76 percent in Barishal, 95.71 percent in Mymensingh, 94.80 percent in Sylhet, 92.43 per cent in Dinajpur and 89.39 per cent under Chattogram Board.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,89,169 students secured the highest grade GPA 5.
Among them, 59,233 students got GPA 5 in Dhaka Board, 32,800 in Rajshahi, 20,878 in Jashore, 15,349 in Dinajpur, 14,153 in Cumilla 13,720 in Chattogram, 9,971 in Barishal, 7,687 in Mymensingh and 4,731 in Sylhet Board.
Read: 95.26% pass HSC, equivalent examinations
A total of 14,03,244 candidates took part in the shortened HSC and equivalent exams from 9,183 educational institutions under 11 education boards in the country.
The HSC and equivalent exams were held on December 02-30 last year with shortened syllabus due to long Covid-19-induced closure of educational institutions.
HSC exams: 5 institutions witness 0% pass rate
No student from five educational institutions came out successful in this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations while all students of 1,934 educational institutions passed the exams.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday published the results of HSC and equivalent examinations 2021, joining a function at International Mother Language Institute virtually from her official residence Gonobhaban.
Among the educational institutions where all have passed, 736 are under nine General Education Boards while 1,003 under Madrasa Education Board and 195 under Technical and Vocational Education Board.
Read: 95.26% pass HSC, equivalent examinations
Besides, all five institutions where 100 per cent of the examinees have failed are under nine general education boards.
This year, the average pass rate in HSC and equivalent examinations is 95.26%. A total of 13,06,718 examinees, out of 13,71,681, came out successful in the examinations in all the 11 education boards of the country.
On the other hand, the average pass rate in HSC examination is 95.57% in nine general education boards.
A total of 1,89,169 students secured the highest grade GPA 5. Among them, 1,78,522 examinees got GPA 5 under the nine General Education Boards, 4,872 under Madrasa Education Board and 5,775 under Technical and Vocational Education Board.
Read: PM publishes HSC, equivalent exam results
A total of 14,03,244 candidates took part in the HSC and equivalent exams from 9,183 educational institutions under 11 education boards in the country.
The HSC and equivalent exams were held on December 02-30 last year with shortened syllabus.
SUST students suspend movement after meeting with ministers
The students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have suspended their movement on Saturday following a meeting with Education Minister Dipu Moni.
They urged the university authorities to resume the classes and examinations.
The students made the announcement at 7 pm at a press briefing on the SUST campus.
“The meeting with the education minister and the deputy education minister was successful and as the minister has assured us of fulfilling all our demands, we’re suspending the movement for now. We’ll be waiting to see our demands are met,” said Mohaiminul Islam Raj, spokesperson of the protesting students.
The students have discussed their six-point demand and some proposals for the overall development of all the universities of the country, he said.
Also read: SUST VC finally apologises over cop attack on students
“We’re urging the university authorities to resume classes and examinations from Sunday,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Vice-Chancellor of SUST Farid Uddin Ahmed expressed regret over the police action on protesting students on January 16.
“I express my sincere sympathy to all of those, including students, teachers and staff injured in the unwanted incident on that day,” he said in a press statement.
On Friday, regarding the student’s demand of VC’s resignation Dipu Moni said it will be placed before the President as he is the Chancellor of the university, holding the power to appoint and remove someone from the post of VC.
Regarding the two cases filed against the protesting students, she said arrangements will be made to withdraw those cases as soon as possible.
Also, the mobile banking accounts and numbers of students that were shut during the protest will be reactivated within a few days, said Dipu Moni to the protesting students at the meeting.
Also read: Removal of VC up to President Hamid: Dipu Moni to SUST students
Dipu Moni also assured that proper treatment will be provided to Sajal Kunda who was injured in police firing and a government job appointment for him, said the students at the briefing.
The students resumed their protests on Wednesday after their demand for the removal of VC was not met. They are now calling for the resignation of the new proctor.
SUST Proctor Md Alamgir Kabir was relieved from his position on Thursday and replaced by Associate Professor Md Ishrat Ibne Ismail of the English department.
The protests began in the middle of January. And over two dozen SUST students who went on fast unto death ended their strike on January 26. They broke the fast after former SUST Prof Zafar Iqbal offered them water to drink.
The students embarked on the hunger strike on the university campus on January 19, demanding the resignation of the VC over the police crackdown on their fellows.
The strike was launched after police swooped on the protesting students, charging batons and firing sound grenades and shotgun bullets. On the other hand, the police had filed a case against 300 unnamed protesting students.
The alleged attack was carried out to free the VC from confinement in the university’s IICT building, and it had left 40 people hurt, including teachers, students and cops.
Zafrin Ahmed, a provost of Begum Sirajunnesa Chowdhury Hall, was at the centre of the initial unrest as she allegedly misbehaved with some students on January 13 when they met her with some complaints.
She later resigned from her post, citing health issues.
HSC results tomorrow
The results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations of 2021 will be published on Sunday.
The results will be officially announced at the International Mother Language Institute at Segunbagicha in the capital at 11:30am, said the Education Ministry on Saturday.
“The results of HSC, Alim, HSC vocational, Business Management and Diploma-in-Commerce exams results will be published on Sunday, “MA Khayer, Education Ministry’s Public Relations Officer M A Khair told UNB on Thursday.
After a 7-month delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations for the academic session 2020-21 were held in December 2021.
The SSC and the HSC examinations of 2021 could not be held as per the schedules due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then the government decided to hold the examinations with shortened syllabuses.
Read: Educational institutions to be reopened after Feb 21: Health Minister
The SSC and equivalent examinations that began on November 14 concluded on November 23while the HSC exams concluded on December 30.
Educational institutions across the country had remained closed since March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure was extended several times.
Finally, the government reopened schools and colleges on September 13 following an improvement in the Covid-19 situation.
Last year’s HSC examinees were evaluated on the basis of their results of JSC and SSC exams, a decision which received a mixed reaction.