United News of Bangladesh

The government has further raised the house rent allowance for teachers and staff of non-government educational institutions enlisted under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) with effect from November 1 amid protests. The hike will be implemented in two phases. According to an official order, the allowance will be set at 7.5 percent of the basic salary (with a minimum of Tk 2,000) from 1 November 2025 while another 7.5 percent increase, bringing the total to 15 percent of the basic salary (minimum Tk 2,000)—will take effect from 1 July 2026. The Finance Division gave its consent to the rise despite the government’s existing budgetary limitations. Earlier, the government had approved a 5 percent (minimum Tk 2,000) increase in house rent allowance for MPO teachers and staff. The decision was, however, rejected by the teachers and staff who continued their protest demanding a higher increase. Education Adviser hopes protesting MPO teachers will return to classes The MPO teachers and staff started staging demonstrations from October 12 to press for three demands, including the house rent hike. According to the office order, the enhanced benefits must comply with relevant MPO policies, including the Non-Government Educational Institution (School and College) Manpower Structure and MPO Policy 2021, Madrasah MPO Policy 2018 (amended up to 23 November 2020), and Vocational, Business Management, Agriculture and Fisheries Diploma MPO Policy 2018 (amended up to 23 November 2020). It noted that the increase would not create any arrear claims for MPO-listed teachers and staff. All financial regulations must be strictly followed and any irregularities in expenditure will render the bill-approving authority liable. The order also directed the administrative ministry concerned to issue a government order (G.O.) and send four copies to the Finance Division for endorsement. Meanwhile, the Finance Division’s earlier circular has been cancelled with this new order.  

The mother of Mahir Rahman, a first-year student at Burhanuddin College, handed him over to Bangshal Police Station early Monday morning. Mahir is a suspect in the murder of a Jagannath University (JnU) student. Police said that Mahir’s mother appeared at the station at dawn on Monday (October 20) and surrendered him to law enforcement. As of now, no case has been officially filed in connection with the incident. Three people have been detained in connection with the murder, Lalbagh Zone Deputy Commissioner Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, said on Monday evening (October 20). Suspect Mahir surrenders over JnU student murder He said, “In a special operation, we have so far detained three suspects. However, we will not disclose their identities at this moment for the sake of the investigation. We will brief the media in detail tomorrow morning.” On Sunday afternoon, Zubayed Hossain — a student of the Statistics Department (2019–20 session) and a member of the JnU Chhatra Dal convening committee — was murdered while tutoring in the Armanitola area of Dhaka. His bloodied body was recovered from a staircase inside a residential building. Around 1 pm on Monday, Zubayed’s body was brought from Mitford Hospital to the Jagannath University campus, where thousands of students gathered in mourning. His namaz-e-janaza was held at 1:45 pm in the presence of his father and other family members. Later, his body was taken to his hometown in Homna upazila of Cumilla district for burial. Meanwhile, police detained and questioned Zubayed’s tuition student, Nargis Shabnam Barsha, in connection with the case. JnU announces 2-day mourning over student Zobayed’s murder Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Bangshal Police Station, said there had been a romantic relationship between Barsha and Mahir Rahman, who grew up as neighbours in Armanitola. Zubayed’s elder brother, Enayet Hossain Saikat, said that the family intends to file a case against Barsha, her parents, Mahir, and another individual named Nafis. However, he alleged that the OC discouraged naming too many individuals in the complaint, warning that it could weaken the case.

The body of Jubaed Hossain, a Jagannath University student from the 15th batch of the Department of Statistics, was recovered from the Armanitola area in Dhaka, on Sunday. Jubaed hailed from Homna upazila in Cumilla district. He was the President of the Cumilla District Student Welfare Association and also served as a Member of the Convening Committee of the JnU unit of the BNP student front Chhatra Dal. The incident occurred around 6 PM on Sunday (October 19) while he was reportedly on his way to give tuition. According to Rafiqul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bangshal Police Station, the body was found in a residence at Pani Pump Goli in Armanitola, where he used to teach. “He was killed by stabbing. The apartment was the place where he used to tutor students. The exact cause of death is yet to be determined. We are investigating the matter,” the OC said. Professor Dr. Muhammad Tajammul Haque, Proctor of Jagannath University, said, “We’ve heard about the death, but the cause is still unknown. It’s truly heartbreaking. I have instructed the police to review all CCTV footage. I’m heading to the spot myself.”

Education Adviser CR Abrar on Sunday expressed hope that the protesting the MPO-listed teachers will return to classrooms following the government’s announcement of a 5% house rent allowance based on their basic salary. “The Ministry of Education has always tried to safeguard the interests of teachers. And in that continuity the progress regarding house rent has been made,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat. “I believe academic activities have resumed in many areas and we expect it will fully normalise,” said the adviser. Govt approves 5pc house rent for MPO teachers The teachers and staff of non-government educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme have been staging demonstrations across the country for the past several weeks, demanding a 20 percent house rent allowance based on their basic salary, a medical allowance of Tk 1,500 for both teachers and staff and an increase in the festival allowance for employees to 75 percent. Earlier in the day, the Finance Ministry issued an order approving a 5% house rent allowance (minimum Tk 2,000) for MPO-listed teachers and staff of non-government educational institutions, taking into account the limitations of the current national budget. The new allowance will be effective from November. However, protesting teachers have rejected the 5% allowance and declared they will continue their hunger strike and other protest programmes until their full demands are met.  

Protesting MPO-listed teachers on Sunday rejected the government-approved five percent house allowance and vowed to continue their movement day until their three-point demand is met. Meanwhile, a delegation from the protesting teachers is holding a meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam at Gulshan residence of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia over the matter.  The teachers staging demonstration at the Central Shaheed Minar said they will march a protest procession towards the Jamuna if no positive results come from the meeting today (Sunday), said Alamgir Hossain, a protesting teacher came from Magura.   Earlier, on Sunday morning, the Ministry of Finance approved a five percent house rent allowance (minimum Tk 2,000) for the teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. Govt approves 5pc house rent for MPO teachers The ministry’s Finance Division issued a letter to the secretaries of the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Technical and Madrasa Education Division on Sunday, outlining six conditions for implementation. The new allowance will take effect from November 1. Currently, MPO-listed teachers and employees receive Tk 1,000 as house rent. Earlier, the Finance Division had agreed to raise it by Tk 500, but the Education Ministry withheld the order amid ongoing protests. Teachers have been demanding a 20 percent house rent allowance (minimum Tk 3,000) and are continuing their movement for the eighth consecutive day, now observing a hunger strike at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. A few days ago, a delegation of protesting teachers met Education Adviser Prof CR Abrar, who had informed them of the government’s plan to increase the allowance by 5 percent, which they rejected.

The Ministry of Finance has approved a five percent house rent allowance (minimum Tk 2,000) for the teachers and employees of non-government educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. The ministry’s Finance Division issued a letter to the secretaries of the Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Technical and Madrasa Education Division on Sunday, outlining six conditions for implementation. The new allowance will take effect from November 1. It specifies that the house rent must be adjusted according to the next national pay scale and that no arrears will be paid. Currently, MPO-listed teachers and employees receive Tk 1,000 as house rent. Earlier, the Finance Division had agreed to raise it by Tk 500, but the Education Ministry withheld the order amid ongoing protests. MPO-listed teachers, staff continue protest for 7th consecutive day Teachers have been demanding a 20 percent house rent allowance (minimum Tk 3,000) and are continuing their movement for the eighth consecutive day, now observing a hunger strike at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka. A few days ago, a delegation of protesting teachers met Education Adviser Prof CR Abrar, who had informed them of the government’s plan to increase the allowance by 5 percent, which they rejected.

The Islamic University (IU) unit of Chhatra Shibir staged a protest march and student rally on Saturday (October 18), issuing a seven-day ultimatum for the implementation of digital payment, along with four other key demands. Over 500 leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of Bottola and brought out the rally from there around 1:00pm. It ended at the same place after parading through the main streets of the campus. The five demands raised by the organisation include immediate trial for the murder of Sajid, provision of the IUCU (Islamic University Central Students’ Union) policy and roadmap, implementation of a digital payment system, opening under-construction student halls this year and recruitment of teachers based on merit and transparency. Addressing the rally, IU Shibir president Mahmudul Hasan said, “93 days have passed since Sajid’s murder, but the killers remain unidentified and unarrested. If they are not brought to justice promptly, we will be forced to announce strict programs.” On student union elections, he criticized the administration for citing legal pretexts to delay the polls, noting that other universities like BRUR and JnU are moving forward with elections. “The administration promised to finalize the IUCU policy by October 15, but no action has been taken as of October 18. Any further delay will be met with a strong student response,” he said. Regarding digital payments, Hasan warned, “If the administration is sincere, the system can be digitized within 21 days. If visible steps are not taken within seven days, the offices of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Treasurer will be paralyzed.” Shibir-backed candidates clinch key RUCSU posts; Ammar elected GS He also expressed concern about delayed hall construction, seat allocation, and the urgent need for transparent merit-based teacher recruitment. Among others, IU Shibir president Mahmudul Hasan, secretary Yusub Ali, office secretary Rashedul Islam Rafi, finance secretary Sheikh Al Amin, publicity secretary Absar Nabi Hamza, and skill development secretary Hasanul Banna Oli were present on the occasion.  

The MPO-listed teachers and staff have continued their protest at the Central Shaheed Minar for the seventh consecutive day, pressing a three-point demand. Today, they also held a demonstration wearing black badges as a mark of protest. The protesters have been observing a hunger strike at the monument since 2pm on Friday. Their demands include a 20 percent house rent allowance based on their basic salary, a medical allowance of Tk 1,500 for both teachers and staff, and an increase in the festival allowance for employees to 75 percent. Shanto Islam, joint member secretary of the MPO Education Nationalization Aspiration Alliance, said that 84 teachers joined the hunger strike starting at 2 p.m. on Friday. “The number has increased today. Several have already fallen ill, and five have been treated and sent home,” he added. Another protester, Mohammad Zainal Abedin, said they would continue their movement until their demands are fulfilled. Earlier, on Tuesday, police barred the protesters when they attempted a long march toward the Secretariat. On Wednesday, they blocked the Shahbagh intersection, disrupting traffic in the area. They had also planned a “March to Jamuna” program on Thursday, but later suspended it. Following a discussion on Thursday, the interim government proposed a 5 percent house rent allowance starting from November. The protesting teachers and staff rejected the offer, declaring that they would continue their movement. Education Adviser Professor C. R. Abrar told the media that the finance ministry had informed them it could provide a 5 percent house rent allowance from November, with a minimum of Tk 2,000. “Due to financial constraints, it is not possible to offer more right now. This has been conveyed to the teachers and staff, but they did not agree,” he added. The protesters have insisted that the allowance should be increased by 10 percent now, with a further 10 percent increase next year.

The newly elected Vice President of the Rajshahi University Central Students' Union (RUCSU), Mostaqur Rahman Zahid, has pledged to work with all students, including those who lost in the election. Speaking in front of the Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium shortly after the RUCSU election results were announced on Friday morning, Zahid urged winners to celebrate their victory peacefully, showing respect to religious practices, and focus on fulfilling the students’ mandate. “Victory and defeat are natural in elections. We will all build this campus together,” he said.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has identified three fake foreign university branch campuses operating in the country and issued a warning to students against enrolling in them. The universities are: America World University, USA; Trinity University, USA; and the Spiritual Institute of New York. According to UGC, none of these universities have received approval from the government or the commission. Dr. Shamsul Arefin, Director of the Public Relations and Publications Department at UGC, said that the matter came to light when Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited applied to the commission to verify certificates of two students from America World University and Trinity University. During the verification process, UGC discovered the operation of these unauthorized branch campuses. “The list of proposed universities submitted by the ministry to the commission does not include any project under these names,” Dr. Arefin added. UGC noted that various media reports indicate the presence of unapproved foreign university branches, tutorial centers, and study centers in Bangladesh. Most of these institutions operate without authorization, offering bachelor, master, MPH, MBA, MPhil, and PhD degrees, which are entirely illegal under the law. UGC takes initiative to address teacher shortage in public universities Students are paying money to receive certificates from these unauthorized universities and many have been defrauded. UGC has recently sent letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Anti-Corruption Commission urging immediate action against these universities. Dr. Shamsul Arefin emphasized the need for effective measures to prevent further student exploitation.