United News of Bangladesh

The ‘C’ Unit admission test for undergraduate first-year students was held smoothly at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) under the cluster system, marking the sixth consecutive year the university has participated alongside other public universities. A total of 1,699 students applied for the ‘C’ Unit, with more than 86.24% attendance, according to exam officials. The GST-coordinated integrated admission test for the commerce stream under ‘C’ Unit took place today, March 27. Upcoming tests include ‘B’ Unit (Humanities) on April 3 and ‘A’ Unit (Science) on April 10, with the architecture practical (drawing) scheduled from 3 pm to 4 pm on the same day. JUST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Majid confirmed that the ‘C’ Unit admission test was conducted peacefully and successfully. He extended gratitude to all teachers, officers, and staff for ensuring a smooth process. According to the centre coordinator and Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Md. Korban Ali, due to the relatively low number of candidates, the test was held at a single centre within the university. For the convenience of students, digital banners were placed across the campus indicating roll numbers, exam centres, and buildings. Volunteers, including BNCC, Rover Scouts, and other committees, assisted at building entrances to support examinees. JUST took all necessary preparations in advance to maintain order and ensure a fair examination environment. Sufficient law enforcement personnel were deployed, and the Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by Registrar Prof. Dr. Hosen Al Mamun, inspected the exam halls after the tests began.

Ten departments of Dhaka University have secured places in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026 for the first time in the institution’s history, according to the UK-based education and research organization Quacquarelli Symonds. This is the highest number of departments from any university in Bangladesh to feature in any edition of the QS World University Subject Rankings till now. Last year, nine DU departments were ranked. QS published this year’s subject ranking list on Wednesday, March 25. The list is released every March. As in previous years, the ranking is divided into two categories. First, the broad subject category, which includes five major areas. Among these, DU secured positions in three categories. Second, the narrow subject category, which covers 55 specific disciplines. DU's10 departments featured in this category. Some of the most notable ones were: According to the QS subject ranking report, in the broad subject category of Social Sciences & Management, DU ranked 371st globally, the highest in Bangladesh. Within this category, Accounting & Finance ranked between 301–375 globally; Economics & Econometrics between 301–350; and Business & Management Studies between 401–450. In the Natural Sciences category, DU was the only university from Bangladesh to be ranked, placing between 501–550 globally. Within this category, Chemistry ranked 551–600; Environmental Sciences 401–450; and Physics & Astronomy 501–550. Obaidul Islam appointed Dhaka University VC, Mamun Ahmed named UGC chairman DU did not secure a position in the broad subject category of Life Sciences & Medicine. However, in the narrow subject area of Biological Sciences, DU ranked between 651–700 globally. In the Engineering & Technology category, DU ranked 364th worldwide. Within this category, Computer Science & Information Systems ranked 551–600; Electrical & Electronic Engineering 501–550; and Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering 501–575.  

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said the government plans to complete the SSC and HSC examinations by December 31 each year to prevent loss of valuable time in students’ educational lives. Speaking at a view-exchange meeting at the Ministry on Wednesday, the minister said that currently students take the SSC exam the year after completing Class 10, and face a similar delay for the HSC exam. “This results in a loss of about two years in a student’s academic life. This is a big loss for both students and the nation,” he said. The minister emphasized the importance of a cheating-free examination environment for developing students’ talent. “The government will continue to ensure fair exams through active teacher participation. A fair examination system will be established in divisional cities through consultation with the Central Secretary and local administration,” he added. The minister also called for an investigation into delays in taking administrative action against the Central Secretary at Khagakhribari Dwimukhi High School in Dimla, Nilphamari, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminate irregularities during examinations. He instructed all education boards to assess the actual conditions and challenges of upcoming SSC exam centers. In the meeting, it was decided that a common question paper will be used for all boards in the 2026 HSC examination, said a PID handout. The mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in each examination room to ensure transparency was also discussed. Besides, a high-level committee will be formed to examine the necessity and feasibility of reducing the number of subjects in future SSC and HSC exams. The meeting, chaired by Abdul Khalek, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was attended by Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Division, senior ministry officials, and chairmen of all education boards.

A number of people were injured in a violent clash between two rival groups of villagers during an arbitration meeting (shalish) in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj district on Tuesday. At least 50 crude bombs were exploded and a number of houses were looted and set on fire during the clash. Gautam Kumar Biswas, superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police, said the arbitration was arranged at Kuthalipara village over settling a longstanding dispute between two groups of villagers around 11am.   Tensions escalated during the meeting following an altercation between supporters of Ranihati union chairman Rahmat Ali on one side, and followers of a former member known as Chandu, triggering a clash. The two sides hurled more than 50 crude bombs at each other, turning the area into a battlefield. A number of people were injured  - two of them critically, who had to be taken to a local hospital Several houses were also vandalised, looted and set on fire during the bedlam that lasted three hours. On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Additional police have been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest. Legal action will be taken against those involved in the clash, said SP Gautam.

Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of University of Dhaka, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced on Monday. The announcement was made during a briefing at the Ministry of Education. Prof Obaidul Islam is currently serving as the vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University. He was appointed to that post on September 12, 2024 following the fall of the Awami League government during the uprising. He is also the current president of the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB). A professor of the Physics Department at the University of Dhaka, Obaidul Islam earlier served as the general secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers’ Association and also led the pro-BNP teachers’ platform known as the ‘White Panel’. He completed his bachelor degree in 1987 and master degree in 1988 from the Physics Department of Dhaka University and later joined the same department as a faculty member. He earned his PhD from University of Toyama in Japan in 1999. Earlier, after the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 uprising, Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan of the Development Studies Department was appointed vice-chancellor of Dhaka University. On February 10, two days before the national election, he announced his intention to step down from the post at a press conference. Six days after the formation of the new government led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Prof Niaz submitted his resignation on February 22 but continued to discharge duties until the appointment of a new vice-chancellor. Meanwhile, Professor Mamun Ahmed has been appointed the new chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh. The announcement was also made by Education Adviser Ehsanul Haque Milon at the same briefing. Prof Mamun Ahmed, from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Dhaka University, had been serving as the university’s pro-vice-chancellor. He is a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairman and president of the Nationalist Social and Cultural Organisation. He replaces Professor S M A Faiz as chairman of the University Grants Commission.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Overseas Employment and ICT Mahdi Amin on Monday stressed the need for major reforms in the country’s education system to build a merit-based Bangladesh, saying the current structure still contains deep inequalities.Speaking at a discussion on education sector reforms based on election pledges, organised by the Citizens’ Platform in Gulshan, Mahdi said the admission system in schools should gradually return to an exam-based process instead of the current lottery system.“Many schools have said they do not like the lottery system. It is a black box,” Mahdi said, adding that policymakers have already discussed moving back to an exam-based admission process. BNP set to secure two-thirds majority, says Mahdi AminHe said efforts are underway to revise the education curriculum before January next year.“The curriculum has been politicised. We want to develop it in a modern way, redesigning where necessary,” he said, urging civil society to maintain pressure so the reform process remains free from political influence.Mahdi said the main objective of education should not be limited to obtaining certificates but should also focus on building capacity, technical skills and entrepreneurial ability. “We want an education system that enables young people to become entrepreneurs through self-employment and to qualify for jobs at home and abroad.”He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasised expanding technical and vocational education. Under the proposed plan, technical and vocational elements would gradually be introduced from Class Six theoretically and from Class Eight with practical components, making at least one technical or vocational subject mandatory alongside science, arts or commerce streams.Mahdi said the government is also planning to introduce third-language learning in schools to enhance overseas employment opportunities. Countries including Japan, China, South Korea, Italy, France and Germany have shown interest in supporting the initiative, possibly by sending teachers or providing technical assistance through their embassies.Initially, specific foreign languages may be introduced in selected districts before integrating them across the national education system, he added.At the event, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said the government plans to gradually introduce a midday meal programme in all schools across the country. “The programme will begin with government primary schools at the upazila level and will then be expanded step by step to cover all schools nationwide.”He also said the government is working towards introducing a single curriculum framework to ensure that students from Bangla, English and Ebtedayee streams achieve comparable competencies after completing 12 years of education.The state minister added that steps are being taken to incorporate culture and sports into the national curriculum, with work on the initiative expected to begin after June and implementation targeted within two to three years.Earlier in the discussion, a study presented by Towfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director (Research) at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), warned that Bangladesh is falling behind in ensuring universal access to quality primary and secondary education despite progress in enrolment.The analysis showed that boys’ primary school enrolment fell from 98 percent in 2023 to 91 percent in 2024, marking the sharpest one-year decline on record.At the secondary level, girls increasingly outnumber boys, while the transition rate from primary to secondary education has also declined.According to the study, the share of students moving from primary completion to secondary school dropped from about 95 percent in 2010 to 84.2 percent in 2024.The transition rate from Grade 5 to Grade 6 fell sharply to 74.99 percent in 2022, meaning roughly one in four students did not continue to secondary education.The presentation also highlighted a rise in child labour, which increased from 6.8 percent in 2019 to 9.2 percent in 2025, suggesting that growing household economic pressure may be pushing many boys out of school.The study further warned that many students complete primary education without acquiring basic learning skills, making it difficult for them to succeed in secondary education.It called for a renewed education agenda focusing on stronger learning outcomes, skills development and better alignment between education and labour market demands.

The government has taken a decision to cancel the lottery system for admission from Class 1 to Class 9 in public and private schools across the country, said Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Monday. He made the announcement at a press briefing at the meeting room of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. “We have decided that from the next academic year, 2027, all admissions will be conducted through an entrance test. It will not be a complicated test. We are not going to make a Class 1 student a neurosurgeon. Students will be admitted through a simple test,” he said. Responding to concerns that the return of admission tests might fuel coaching businesses and influence peddling, the minister said, “There will be no scope for coaching. The test will be simple and everything will be conducted in a normal, fair manner. Parents have no reason to worry. I believe no education system should rely on lottery-based admission.”

Public spending on education in Bangladesh has fallen to about 1.7 % of GDP, far below global recommendations, raising concerns about the country’s future human capital development. The findings were presented by Towfiqul Islam Khan, Additional Director (Research) at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), at an event of the Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh titled ‘Education for Tomorrow in Light of the Election Manifesto: New Thinking, New Structure and New Initiatives.’ No question of relaxing qualifications for school managing committee heads: Education Minister According to the analysis, actual utilisation of education spending dropped further to around 1.3 percent of GDP in FY2025, which is significantly lower than the 4–6 percent benchmark recommended by UNESCO. Although government policy documents have long identified education as a national priority ambition regarding budget allocation has weakened over time, it said. The Sixth Five-Year Plan had set a target to raise education spending to 4 percent of GDP by 2015. However, later policy frameworks pushed that target further into the future, with the current Perspective Plan setting the 4 percent target for 2041. The study identified limited fiscal space and weak revenue mobilisation as major obstacles to increasing public investment in education. Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio stood at only 6.8 percent in FY2025, one of the lowest in the region which has constrained the government’s ability to increase spending on education. The analysis also found that development expenditure in the education sector has declined sharply in recent years while operating expenditure now dominates the budget structure. According to the study, strengthening the education system will require stronger domestic resource mobilisation, better spending efficiency and improved programme management. It recommended gradually increasing education spending to around 5 percent of GDP by 2031 through improved budget execution and enhanced resource mobilisation. The report warned that without significantly higher investment in education, Bangladesh may face difficulties in developing the skilled workforce needed for a rapidly changing labour market.

A member of parliament on Sunday raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the transfer of government primary school teachers, claiming that a significant number of teachers from outside the locality are being posted in his constituency in violation of existing rules. Taking the floor during the question-and-answer session, MP Dewan Mohammad Salauddin from Dhaka-19 said that according to the current policy, teachers working in government primary schools should primarily be posted within their local areas, particularly when vacancies arise due to retirement. He said the rules stipulate that when positions fall vacant, preference should be given to teachers who are residents of the respective area, have provided a local address during recruitment and are registered voters there. The policy also limits teachers transferred from outside the area to a maximum of 10 percent, he added. However, the lawmaker alleged that the rule is not being properly followed in his constituency. “I regret to inform that nearly 40 percent of teachers currently working in these institutions are from outside the locality. Whenever a vacancy occurs, teachers from other areas are being posted here,” he told parliament. He said the matter has been a long-standing problem and noted that in the past a writ petition had been filed with the High Court to halt such practices. Calling the issue a concern for local teachers and residents, the MP urged the government to take steps to ensure that the transfer policy is implemented properly so that local teachers get priority in postings when vacancies arise. Responding to the query, Education Minister for Primary and Mass Education A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon acknowledged the importance of the issue and thanked the MP for raising it. The minister said that in the past there was no provision allowing primary school teachers to be transferred outside their respective areas. Later, he said, the previous government introduced a computerised system for teacher transfers. Under the system, transfers are processed based on the instructions generated through the digital platform, he said. Milon explained that since Savar is part of greater Dhaka, many teachers from different parts of the country seek transfers there through the application system. “To address this issue, we need to incorporate some reservation mechanisms within the digital system,” he said. The minister added that the government is currently reviewing the matter and discussions have already begun on making adjustments to the computer programme so that a larger proportion of teachers posted in a locality come from that area, while allowing a limited number from outside. “We are examining how the allocation process can be modified to ensure that most of the teachers are from the respective locality, while maintaining a small portion from outside,” he told the House. The minister assured parliament that the government is considering necessary changes to the digital transfer system to make the process more balanced and responsive to local needs.    

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Sunday said the government is reviewing the current primary school admission process and will decide on the system for 2027 after consulting stakeholders. The admission pressure is mainly seen in urban areas particularly in Dhaka while rural schools usually do not face such competition due to relatively lower student numbers, he said responding to a supplementary question in Parliament from MP Abul Hasnat Abdullah from Cumilla. “The lottery system was introduced earlier to address the admission pressure in city schools but I personally do not think it is a very logical system,” Milon told the House. He said the government will hold seminars and discussions with stakeholders including parents to build public opinion before finalising the admission system for January 2027. Hasnat Abdullah expressed concerns about the shift from merit-based admission to a lottery system at the primary level. He argued that the change has weakened the quality of feeder institution which ultimately affects the quality of students entering universities. The lawmaker also questioned whether an inclusive education system could be achieved while maintaining three parallel streams in the country—Bangla medium, English medium and madrasa education—which he said largely reflect economic disparities among families. In response, the Education Minister acknowledged that Bangladesh currently has multiple streams of education and integrating them is a complex process. He said the government has already formed a committee to bring English-medium schools under a regulatory framework aligned with national policies. The minister added that work has also begun to reform the Ebtedayee (primary madrasha) system and explore ways to incorporate the Qawmi education stream within a broader national education framework. “We are taking initiatives to gradually coordinate these different streams so that the education system becomes more unified in future,” he said.