United News of Bangladesh

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Wednesday underscored the need to modernise and align technical and vocational education with market demands to transform Bangladesh’s vast population into a skilled workforce. “Technical and job-oriented education must be updated in line with contemporary needs and global labour market trends,” he said at a view-exchange meeting with officials at the conference room of the Directorate of Technical Education. “To strengthen the technical education system, we need to reinforce public-private partnerships, build stronger linkages between industry and academia, and modernise curricula and syllabuses,” he said. The minister said key performance indicators (KPIs) and other performance metrics of the technical education sector have been reviewed initially and  deeper analysis would be conducted to bring necessary reforms. The minister said there are gaps in public-private partnership, coordination between industries and educational institutions, and the formulation of market-driven curricula, which must be addressed promptly. Urging officials to take proactive initiatives, Milon said they should identify development priorities within their respective departments, projects and institutions and act with creativity and innovation instead of waiting for directives from the ministry. Describing the Education Ministry as one of the country’s most important ministries, Milon said, “It is from here that the nation’s human resources are developed. Building a skilled workforce for nearly 180 million people is a major responsibility.” If Bangladesh’s large population can be properly transformed into skilled human capital, it could become a key driver of the country’s economic and social development, he added. No auto-pass, stricter monitoring for SSC 2026: Minister Milon Milon said technical institutions including vocational and polytechnic institutes should prioritise hands-on and job-oriented training over excessive theoretical instruction. “A comprehensive review of curricula and training systems is necessary in this regard,” he added. He also stressed the importance of strengthening coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and other relevant bodies to expand opportunities for sending skilled workers to international labour markets. “While many developed countries are facing population decline, Bangladesh remains demographically strong. If we can convert this manpower into skilled human resources, Bangladesh can establish itself globally as a nation rich in skilled workforce,” Milon said. Calling for a departure from conventional work practices, Milon urged officials to work with renewed energy, enthusiasm and speed, setting clear goals and action plans in their respective areas. The minister also called for collective efforts from the technical education sector to help realise the employment generation target announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The results of the Junior Scholarship Examination were published on Wednesday, with a total of 46,200 students selected under two categories. Of them, 14,700 students secured scholarships in the talent pool category while 31,500 were awarded general scholarships. The results of the examination held after a gap of 17 years were announced at 1:30pm on Wednesday. Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon formally announced the results at a function held at the conference room of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry. State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj was present at the event. According to the published results, a total of 3,15,160 students participated in the Junior Scholarship Examination under nine general education boards across the country. Under Dhaka Education Board, 3,635 students received talent pool scholarships and 7,790 received general scholarships while 967 students secured talent pool scholarships and 2,073 received general scholarships under Mymensingh Education Board. Besides, Rajshahi Education Board awarded 1,926 talent pool and 4,128 general scholarships while Cumilla Education Board awarded 1,677 talent pool and 3,593 general scholarships. A total of 948 students received talent pool scholarships and 2,030 received general scholarships under Sylhet Education Board and Barishal Education Board awarded 873 talent pool and 1,871 general scholarships. The Jashore Education Board awarded 1,662 talent pool and 3,561 general scholarships while the Chattogram Education Board awarded 1,210 talent pool and 2,593 general scholarships. 1,802 students secured talent pool scholarships and 3,861 received general scholarships under Dinajpur Education Board. Results can be accessed through the website of the Directorate of Primary Education by clicking on the ‘Scholarship Result’ option and entering the roll number and year (2026). Students can also obtain their results via SMS by typing the board name, roll number and year and sending the message to 16222. Students selected under the talent pool category will receive Tk 450 per month while those under the general category will receive Tk 300 per month. The scholarships will continue for two years (Classes IX and X) along with a one-time annual grant. The examinations were held from December 28 to 30 last year and on January 6 this year at 611 centres under nine general education boards across the country.

The Ministry of Education has instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) not to schedule any examinations during the government announced holiday from September 28 to October 9. The Ministry of Education issued the order signed by Md Rajibul Alam, senior assistant secretary to the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on Wednesday. The government earlier announced a 12-day holiday for all educational institutions across the country from September 28 to October 9 on the occasion of Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Prabarana Purnima and Laxmi Puja to celebrate those with festivity and due solemnity. According to the order, holidays in schools will begin on September 28 coinciding with the day of Maha Shasthi. Law enforcers to be deployed from Wednesday for Durga Puja: Home Adviser Government and non-government secondary and lower secondary schools will remain closed for eight days excluding weekends and resume classes on October 8. Colleges under the government and non-government calendar will also close on September 28. With weekends excluded, they will have a 10-day holiday, reopening on October 12 as October 10 and 11 fall on Friday and Saturday. This year, according to the calendar, the five-day main festivities of Durga Puja will begin with Shasthi Puja on September 28, seven days after Mahalaya.

The Ministry of Education has said that there is no justification for the ongoing movement demanding a fixed timeline for the transformation of Government Titumir College into a university.A special committee, led by the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is working towards the establishment of a separate university comprising the seven historic colleges of Dhaka. The issue of Titumir College is being given special consideration as part of these efforts, the ministry said in a press release on Saturday. Titumir College students block roads at Mohakhali The committee has already initiated discussions with student representatives from Titumir College and the other six colleges regarding their concerns. The Ministry said the government’s main focus is on improving educational opportunities and standards for these institutions and possible alternatives in this regard will be considered by the government. In response to the Titumir College student-movement demands for a fixed timeline for the transformation, the Ministry of Education made it clear that such a demand is not justified. The Ministry further requested all involved in the movement to remain patient. It also called on the protesters to avoid actions that could disrupt public life or interfere with the normal educational activities of the college’s students. Press Secretary urges Titumir College students to remain calm amid protests The government reiterated its commitment to being aware and sympathetic to the legitimate demands of teachers and students at all levels.

Planning and Education Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud on Wednesday said that the Education Ministry has no direct role in addressing the problems faced by private universities in the country, as these institutions are managed by their respective trustee boards. “Private universities are governed by their trustee boards. The government only grants approval for their operation, but the Education Ministry has no authority to intervene in their internal issues,” he told reporters following an ECNEC meeting at the NEC conference room. Dr Wahiduddin highlighted the challenges faced by students when trustee boards become dysfunctional or face crises. He pointed out that if trustees or university officials such as vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and treasurers, appointed by the President, leave or are forced out, it creates confusion and panic among students. “It becomes a significant crisis—arguably a larger legal challenge than managing public universities,” he said, emphasizing that such disputes should be resolved through legal channels in the courts. Don’t know when all students will get textbooks: Education Adviser Dr Wahiduddin also acknowledged student frustrations, particularly their expectation that the Education Ministry or its adviser should intervene to resolve these matters. "Students think, 'This is about education, so the Education Adviser will fix everything.' But if this situation continues, even I don’t know where to turn," he added. On Tuesday, students of Primeasia University staged a demonstration near the Jatiya Press Club to press their nine-point demand. The demands included establishing a permanent campus, the resignation of the trustee board chairman, and the appointment of a neutral administrator to address ongoing crises at the university. Tensions escalated when a group of protesting students clashed with police near the main gate of the Bangladesh Secretariat. The students had attempted to enter the Secretariat to present their demands, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement.

The Ministry of Education has ordered an immediate stop to hill cutting during the implementation of the "Further Development of Comilla University" project. The directive also calls for replanting trees in the affected areaa and submitting a report on environmental compliance during the development work.   This instruction follows a letter issued on October 15 by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The letter highlighted that development activities in the Lalmai Hill area of Comilla Sadar South were carried out without the necessary approval from the Department of Environment.    The letter also warned that such actions under a government project set a harmful precedent for private or individual projects. It emphasized that hills, as invaluable natural resources, cannot be restored once destroyed. Lalmai Hill, in particular, holds national heritage and archaeological significance, which must be preserved. Dhaka calls for global collaboration to address threats to religious sites The directive, signed by Ahmed Shibli, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was issued on November 27 to ensure compliance with environmental laws.   The Ministry of Environment hopes all parties will respect the law and adopt eco-friendly practices in future development projects.  

Due to the ongoing severe heatwave, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced the closure of all government primary schools, child welfare trust schools, and learning centers under the education bureau until Thursday. Senior Information Officer of the ministry, Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin, signed the notification on Monday, emphasising that the decision was made to ensure the health and safety of children. Additionally, educational activities at all institutions below the secondary level and vocational educational institutions in Dhaka, Chuadanga, Jashore, Khulna, and Rajshahi districts were suspended for Monday. Guidelines issued for primary schools reopening tomorrow amid heatwave A separate notice from the Education Ministry, signed by MA Khayer, public relations officer, was issued on Sunday following consultations with the Health Ministry and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. However, educational institutions equipped with air conditioning were allowed to remain open. Despite the ongoing heatwave, which began in the first week of April, schools and colleges had initially resumed classes on Sunday after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and their subsequent extension due to the heat. Primary schools conducted classes on Monday since no directive had been issued by the concerned authorities until Sunday night. This reopening came even though there has been no significant relief from the heatwave, raising concerns among parents, particularly those with young children. Heat wave: Assembly at all govt primary schools suspended Originally, schools and colleges were set to reopen on April 21 after the Eid holidays, but the persistent extreme temperatures prompted authorities to extend the closure until April 27. The Ministry has advised parents and guardians to stay informed through official updates as the situation develops.

In a decisive move aimed at minimizing the anxiety levels among students, Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel announced his decision to refrain from visiting Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination centers this year. The announcement, made through a press release by the Education Ministry on Monday (February 05, 2024), underscores the minister’s concern over the psychological impact such official visits have on students, including heightened stress and public inconvenience. Nowfel urges to refrain from unhealthy politics over opposing curriculum Minister Nowfel pointed out the inadvertent “harassment situation and mental agony” that his presence might cause, exacerbating the challenges students already face during this critical examination period. He also expressed his commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of examinees over traditional inspection practices. Nowfel wants new unis to refrain from running undergraduate courses at start of journey The disruption caused by such visits, including delayed entry of students into examination centers, was also a key concern cited by the minister. He took the opportunity to remind the public and officials of the legal framework governing access to examination halls, emphasizing that “only the designated center inspector is allowed entry into the exam hall,” as per existing regulations. Nowfel to prioritise innovation, performance over ceremonial aspects

Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid, who is also chancellor of universities, has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to take necessary measures for holding a single admission test for all public universities for the 2023-24 session. A media release signed by Md Mahmudul Alam, joint secretary of secondary and higher education department of the Education Ministry, conveyed the directive today. Read more: Single admission test for universities from next year: Dipu Moni The release also said the public universities that earlier held admission test in the cluster method for 2022-23 session were asked to complete the admission process.

The 6th convocation of Jahangirnagar University (JU) will be held on February 25, said the university authorities. The convocation will be held at 3:30 pm, said a notification signed by Shatarupa Talukder, senior assistant secretary of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education of the Education Ministry. The first convocation of Jahangirnagar University was held in 1997. The second convocation was held in 2001 and the fifth and last convocation of the university was held in 2015, it said.