United News of Bangladesh

The government has decided to introduce a hybrid learning system – combining online and in-person classes – on a trial basis in selected educational institutions in the capital, beginning on Saturday. Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon disclosed the decision at a press briefing at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka on Thursday. The move comes amid the global energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. It also aims to ease chronic traffic congestion and cater to the growing need for technology-driven learning. Under the new system, classes will be held six days a week, with three days allocated for in-person classes and three days for online sessions, he said. According to the schedule, in-person classes will take place on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, while online classes will be conducted on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Friday will remain the weekly holiday. The minister said institutions such as Viqarunnisa Noon School and College will be among those where the blended learning system will initially be launched. Teachers will be required to be physically present at their respective institutions while conducting classes, he said. The system will be introduced in institutions that have the capacity to implement it, Milon said. Meanwhile, the heads of different educational institutions, who were present at the press briefing, lent their support to the blended learning method and assured full cooperation in implementing the government’s initiative. However, speakers at the meeting emphasised the need for uninterrupted electricity supply, reliable internet connectivity and proper monitoring to ensure student participation. A proposal was also placed to introduce a reporting system to track students’ attendance and activities in online classes, which would be evaluated through follow-up in offline sessions. The minister said the initiative is not mandatory but will be implemented gradually in a planned manner. Institutions with the necessary capacity will be allowed to join the system voluntarily, with the possibility of expanding it in the future. The programme will initially be launched as a pilot project in large and traffic-congested areas of Dhaka, Milon said. Clarifying the implementation process, he said teachers must remain present at their respective institutions to conduct online classes and will not be allowed to take classes from home. Noting that adapting to the education system has become necessary in the context of the global energy crisis and the country’s overall situation, the minister expressed hope that the initiative will succeed through collective efforts. Secretary to the Secondary and Higher Education Division Abdul Khaleque was also present at the briefing.  

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday said that the government has nationalised 828 educational institutions in the last 15 years. They include 54 schools and colleges, 374 colleges, 347 schools and 49 technical institutions, he said in Parliament. No plan to change new education system: Education Minister The education minister said this while responding to a tabled question of ruling party MP elected from Chattogram M Abdul Latif. In response to the question of Awami League lawmaker elected from Natore Shafiqul Islam Shimul of Natore-2 constituency, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said that the present government has no plan to resume JSC and PSC final examinations. Seminar on the genetics of purple potato held at BAU In response to the question of M Abdul Latif, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Rumana Ali said that currently the number of government primary schools in the country is 51,026. “The process of bringing private educational institutions under registration under new rules is going on. The government has no plan to nationalise those private educational institutions,” she said. IU fresher ‘ragged by BCL men’ again

The High Court on Thursday (February 16, 2023) asked the authorities concerned not to force students to disclose their marital status in admission forms in educational institutions in Bangladesh. The HC bench of Justice Naima Haider and Justice Md Khairul Alam passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Deputy Attorney General Amit Das Gupta represented the state. On November 14, 2017, Advocates Fariha Ferdous and Nahid Sultana filed a writ petition attaching a report published in a national daily headlined “What the girl will do now?”. Also read: SC stays HC order on Boi Mela stall allotment for Adarsha Prokashoni According to the report, on June 6, 2013, a class X girl was raped but the rapists denied the allegation. When the girl became pregnant, she was admitted to the one-stop crisis centre of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital and she lodged a complaint against the rapist, said the report. Police arrested the rapist and a DNA test proved that the rapist was the father of the child. Later, a court ordered sending the girl to residential centre under Rajshahi division ‘Women Assistance Programme’ of the government. Read More: Corruption allegations against ex-Gazipur mayor Jahangir: HC asks to complete probe within 6 months During living at the centre, the girl appeared in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination and during her exam she gave birth to a baby boy on February 19, 2014. Meanwhile, she passed the SSC exam with GPA 4.3 and appeared her Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination from there. Later, she was sent to her house and also passed the HSC exam with GPA 3.17. On May 30, 2017, a court sentenced the rapist to life imprisonment and asked to bear the expenses of the baby boy. The court also fined him Tk one lakh. Read More: N’ganj 3 children torture: HC grants 4-week anticipatory bail to Gopaldi municipality mayor She was put in the category of married women during the public examinations though she was unmarried. The girl was unable to fill up the admission form of a nursing college due to her marital status as she was not married and had a child. On December 11, 2018, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the option of marital status in admission process in educational institutions should not be declared unconstitutional. The HC also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why directives should not be given to formulate a meaningful policy in this regard. Read More: HC orders Kushtia DC to probe ragging of a female student at IU The court also asked to take steps so the girl can get enrolled in a nursing college immediately.

Due to the emergencies arising out of the impact of Cyclone Sitrang, educational institutions in three coastal divisions have been declared closed till further notice. All educational institutions in Chattogram, Barishal and Khulna divisions are covered under the declaration of the Education Ministry issued on Monday (October 24, 2022). The Ministry also gave instructions to use the educational institutions in the cyclone-affected areas as shelter centres, it added. Public schools and health complexes in Bangladesh are designed to double up as shelter centres during emergencies. Read Cyclone Sitrang weakens into depression Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is said to be monitoring developments centering the cyclone round the clock, and issuing necessary instructions to the government officials to mitigate its impact. “The prime minister is giving various directives to different ministries, directorates and other government offices round the clock,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB. Also read: Cyclone Sitrang: Many areas in Dhaka, Narayanganj plunge into darkness following disruption in power supply

The government has again extended the closure of educational institutions until February 28 to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The government has again extended the closure of educational institutions, except the Qawmi madrasas, until February 14 as there has been no significant improvement in the coronavirus situation in the country. Education Minister Dipu Moni confirmed it in an official media release on Friday after consultation with others. Earlier on January 15, the closure of all educational institutions was exten