Education
Schools to get over 95% textbooks by Dec 31: Minister
Education Minister Dipu Moni on Thursday said more than 95 per cent textbooks will reach primary and secondary schools across the country by December 31.
“The remaining books will be delivered by January 7. Students will get their textbooks in time,” Dipu Moni said while visiting a printing press at Matuail in the capital.
Dipu Moni said the binding of over 17 crore textbooks has already been completed but some might remain incomplete. “However, we’ll be able to distribute those among students in the first week of January.”
However, it is not possible to arrange any ‘textbook festival’ this time too due to the pandemic, said the minister, adding that these textbooks will be distributed in classrooms.
Provost committee: Married female students can stay in DU halls
Female students of Dhaka University will be allowed to stay at halls even after marriage, Provost standing committee decided at a meeting on Wednesday.
This will be applicable for pregnant students too.
Read:Legal notice served on Dhaka University for barring married students from halls
The decision came hours after a legal notice was served on the university on a long standing rule that bans female students from living in halls if they get married and become pregnant.
However, the final decision is yet to come. The decision that provost standing committee made today, will be sent to Dhaka University's Syndicate committee, the highest authority of Dhaka University for approval.
"We recommended that married and pregnant can stay at halls. But it is not the final decision." Prof Lafifa Jamal, provost of Shamsun Nahar hall, said.
"I think student-friendly decisions will be made in Syndicate meeting", she said.
Read:DU female students demand reform to policies for married students
Recently, the residential issue of married and pregnant student's staying at hall came to light centering two incidents one in Shamsun Nahar hall and the other was in Bangladesh-Kuwait Moitri hall as they were told to get out of hall for being married.
However, those issues were resolved internally.
DU hall expels third-year student for torturing junior in dorm
Authorities have expelled a third-year student of Dhaka University from Masterda Surja Sen Hall for allegedly torturing a second-year student for not attending a political programme of the Bangladesh Chaatra League (BCL).
As the actions of Sifat Ullah, a student of Women and Gender Studies, go against the university regulations, prestige and laws, the hall authorities have decided to expel him, according to a notification.
"If Sifat Ullah is seen in the hall in future, he will be strictly punished according to the university’s rules," it said.
Also read: “Sifat” at it again; another student tortured at DU’s Surya Sen Hall
On December 13, Kazi Porosh Miah, a second-year student of French Language and Culture Department and a resident of Surya Sen Hall, was called by Sifat Ullah to room bo 351 in the evening and was toured mentally and physically allegedly by him.
On a complaint from the victim, the Surja Sen Hall authorities quickly formed a probe committee to investigate the matter. The panel indicted Sifat Ullah for the torture.
Also read: 5 freshmen beaten up at DU hall for hailing end to guest room culture
Earlier, on November 8, Sifat reportedly tortured two more students -- Ariful Islam and Tariqul Islam -- to drive them out of the dormitory and threatened to kill them if they did not leave. He was made to sign an undertaking for the "mistake".
Secondary school admissions: Lottery system for all classes, says Dipu Moni
A digital lottery will be held in all government and private secondary schools of the country for all classes to stop the ‘admission battle’ and lobbying, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday.
She said, “I want the system to get out of this kind of admission war. I want the students to get out of the negative practices and come to the positive.”
The minister said this while inaugurating the digital lottery at the National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) in the capital on Sunday.
Dipu said, "Children face a lot of stress while competing for the admission tests. An unhealthy competition can be seen as illegal issues get included.”
Read: SSC, HSC’s 2022 exams likely in mid-year: Dipu Moni
She said, "What we used to see in terms of admissions is the admission battle of parents and children,"
The minister also said the children who will be admitted in class one are being forced to memorize everything beyond their capacity and the parents are also memorizing with them.
Meanwhile, all the meritorious students with the highest marks are studying in one school. Quality education will be ensured if there are students of different merit together in every school, the minister added.
She said, "If students have to get higher marks after studying everything for admission, then what is the achievement of the school?”
Read: Maintain health protocols to keep HSC exams undisturbed: Dipu Moni
“We’ve received positive responses from most places since last year's lottery as this system has created opportunities for establishing equality,” she said.
Earlier, a digital lottery was held on December 15 to select students for admission in government secondary schools.
Last year, a lottery was held in the metropolis. This time, the lottery was held at district level. In future, all the institutions will come under lottery system for admission, said the minister.
DU students demonstrate on campus to get back money from e-commerce platform Aladiner Prodip
A group of Dhaka University students who started small businesses through e-commerce platform aladinerprodip.com marched through the campus on Sunday to demand that the money they paid to the company be returned immediately as it failed to deliver the products.
The students said they made payments to the troubled e-commerce company on behalf of their customers for products which had not been delivered. The money got stuck up at the gateway after authorities froze the company’s accounts amid allegations of irregularities.
Read: Dipu Moni urges Dhaka University to adopt an academic master plan
After the accounts affiliated with Aladiner Prodip were frozen in September this the students have been in uncertainty of getting back the money their customers have paid through this e-commerce platform.
"We stepped into this e-commerce platform to earn and support our family during lockdown inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Digital Bangladesh.", Raon Sarkar, a-fourth-year student of Applied Mathematics Department, said.
Mushfiq Bipu, a student of World Religion and Culture Department, said their hope of becoming entrepreneurs have been dashed by as the accounts of Aladiner Prodip have been frozen.
“We are in a miserable situation,” he said.
The students at the protest demanded unfreezing their accounts and provide the payments so they can pay the merchants.
Read: Centenary celebration of Dhaka University begins Wednesday
They also urged the authorities to release Aladin Prodip’s money from the gate way and take steps for a sustainable security policy on sound e-commerce business.
Aladiner Prodip like other e-commerce platforms such as evaly, e-orange, Alesha Mart, Dhamaka, Sirajganj Shop, Qcoom, BoomBoom, Adyan Mart and need.com.bd recently shut down business amid allegations fraud and embezzlement of customers’ money.
DU female students demand reform to policies for married students
Representatives of female dormitories of Dhaka University want reform of policies on pregnant and married students staying in the residential halls.
The student representatives demanded these at a press conference held at Dhaka University Journalists Association (DUJA) club at around 12:30pm on Friday, our DU correspondent reports.
"Is it a fault to be married? What kind of nonsense policy is it to cancel the seats of the female married students? We strongly demand to remake these policies and bring in student-friendly policies," said former VP of Shamsunnahar Hall Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Emi.
"If the university authority helps us, we are ready to cooperate with them with our best, but if they don’t accept our demands, we will be obliged to call a movement," she added.
They also demanded to allow non-resident students to enter the halls and also to allow them to stay in the dormitories in emergencies.
It is to be mentioned that to allot seats at five female residential halls under Dhaka University, female students have to sign an undertaking while enrolling, where one of the points says: "If any student gets married, she must inform the hall authority quickly. Otherwise, for breaking the rule, her seat will be cancelled. And pregnant students cannot stay in the dorm."
Recently, a 4th-year married student of Shamsunnahar Hall was forced to leave the hall on the condition that her cousin, a student of 2019-20 session who was eligible to get a legal seat in the hall, would not get it until she leaves her seat.
On the other hand, a second-year married student faced lots of difficulties from hall administration with the matter of her hall accommodation. But while contacted, the victim refused to comment before the media.
The representatives submitted an application to DU Vice Chancellor Prof M Akhtaruzzaman in this regard two days ago.
"Considering social values and morality, our forefathers brought out these policies and all of those policies are not bad. But in this present time, these policies need to be reconsidered," Prof. Akhtaruzzaman said in this regard.
"These policies will remain in practise until we reach a logical conclusion," he further said.
"I studied in different foreign universities but didn’t see such rules. I think such rules shouldn’t exist in a 100-year-old university," the dean of the social science faculty, Prof. Sadeka Halim, said.
"I think hall authority should allow married students to stay in the hall," she added.
“Sifat” at it again; another student tortured at DU’s Surya Sen Hall
A resident student of Dhaka University's Surya Sen Hall has been tortured allegedly by Sifat Ullah, said to be a BCL activist, for not attending a political programme.
Kazi Porosh Miah, a second-year student of French Language and Culture Department and a resident of Surya Sen Hall, was called by Sifat Ullah to room No 351 around 7.00pm on Monday and was tortured mentally and physically reportedly by Sifat.
"Sifat asked me to attend a BCL (Bangladesh Chhatra League) programme two days back but I couldn’t attend it as I had an exam on that day," said Porosh.
Read: DU seminar: Revolutionise cinema for evolution of reflective films
"On Monday, when I had been to his room, he tortured me mentally and physically,” a traumatized Porosh told UNB.
Porosh said he submitted a written complaint to the hall provost and the proctor online.
Asked, DU Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani said, "I heard about the incident but have not received any written complaint yet."
"A three-member committee, led by Prof Ahmad Ullah, senior house tutor of Surya Sen Hall, has been formed to investigate the complaint as soon as possible,” said Prof Mokbul Hossain Bhuiyan, the Provost of Surya Sen hall.
"If the allegations are proved, action will be taken," said Md Abdul Motaleb, the principal administrative officer of the hall.
Several attempts were made to contact Sifat over phone for his comment on the allegations but he could not be reached.
November 8, Sifat, a student of Women and Gender Studies, reportedly tortured two more students -- Ariful Islam and Tariqul Islam -- to drive them out from the dormitory and threatened to kill them if they do not do so.
Read:Nagad becomes DU's partner in centenary celebrations
However, the victims withdrew the allegations saying that it was just a “misunderstanding”.
That is not the end of Sifat's stories of bullying, anyway!
Sifat was suspended for six months for torturing two third-year students of Economics department -- Rokeya Gazi Lina and Asaduzzaman Parnto- on July 7 of 2018.
Prof Selim’s death: Closure of Kuet extended till Dec 23
The closure of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) has been extended till December 23 amid tension gripping the campus over the unusual death of Prof. Dr Mohammad Selim Hossain.
The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of Kuet syndicate on Sunday night, said spokesperson of KUET’s Public Relations and Information Department Robiul Islam Sohag.
Read: Prof Hossain's death: KUET temporarily suspends 9 students
Earlier on December 3, the university was declared closed till December 13 over the death of Prof. Dr Selim Hossain allegedly due to mental torture and harassment of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) activists. The students were asked to leave their residential halls by 4:00 pm on that day.
Besides, a five-member probe committee was formed over the death which was asked to submit its report within 10 days.
But the committee could not complete the investigation by this time. Considering the recommendation of the probe body, the authorities extended the closure of the institution.
Prof Selim, 38, a teacher of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) department at the university, was also the provost of Lalan Shah Hall.
Read: KUET BCL tries to distance itself from professor’s death after meeting
According to faculty members of the university, Prof Selim died hours after some Chhatra League activists led by Sadman Nahyan Sejan, general secretary of Kuet Chhatra League, allegedly confined the teacher to his office and mentally tortured him to accept their choice as dining manager of Lalan Shah Hall for December.
During this confinement the teacher was allegedly subjected to abuses, humiliation and threat, his colleagues said.
JU to hold butterfly fair on Friday
A day-long butterfly fair will be held on Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on Friday.
The convener of Butterfly Fair 2021, Prof Md Monwar Hossain, said the event will be held at Zahir Raihan Auditorium to raise awareness among people about the need to conserve butterflies.
JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam will inaugurate the fair as the chief guest.
Read:Mexico questions police over disappeared butterfly activist
The day-long fair will feature a drawing competition for children, a photography exhibition, a butterfly exhibition, a butterfly identification competition, a debate and a documentary on butterflies and their habitat.
This year, Md Hasmot Ali, a preservationist from Sirajganj, will be get the ‘Butterfly Award-2021’ for his contribution towards conserving butterflies.
Read:JU Butterfly Fair attracts nature enthusiasts
Besides, the 'Butterfly Young Enthusiast-2021 Award' will be given to Ashikur Rahman Sami, a student of the Zoology department.
The Zoology department of JU, in association with Cute Ltd, Prokriti O Jibon Foundation and Channel I, has been organisung the fair since 2010.
IELTS Practice Tests: 7 Full Free IELTS Mock Tests to Take Online
When it comes to studying for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, there are many different options available. Some people decide to take a course with an instructor while others choose to study on their own by taking practice tests. One of the best ways is to go online and find full free IELTS mock tests that you can use for your study materials! This article will give you some tips on how to find these types of tests so you don't have any trouble when looking around.
Where to Take Full Free IELTS Mock Tests?
Achieving a high score in an IELTS examination is important for many people, such as those who are going to study or work abroad. It can be very stressful and time-consuming if you have to take the test without any practice. Luckily there are a number of free sites that offer full mock tests with feedback on your performance. The following part of this article will explore these different options and help answer the question "Where to take full free IELTS mock tests?".
Read IELTS Preparation: Best Online Free Resources, Mock Tests, and Guidelines for IELTS Academic and General
British Council
One of the best places to find full free IELTS mock tests is on the British Council website. This website provides a lot of resources for students who are preparing to take the IELTS test, including many different practice tests. You can take free online sessions with the British Council, which will allow you to get familiar with the test format, undertake tasks under timed conditions. Moreover, a learner can also review their work afterward so that any weaknesses can be perfected before stepping into the examination hall!
The practice test will allow you to carry out timed sessions, giving yourself a chance of success on test day by practicing in various conditions under which it will be taken. However, each test is presented through a number of web pages and you should answer all the questions.
Read IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for study abroad?
Anyone can access the British Council IELTS practice test from here: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-ielts-practice-tests
IELTS Prepare by IDP
When you are ready to take your shot at studying abroad, IELTS Prepare is here with all of the helpful information it can provide. The site provides test locations and preparation tips as well as downloadable practice exams so that students will be confident in their abilities before they even step foot on a real IELTS exam.
With IDP’s practice test, you can be confident in your ability to succeed. The test has four sections with different timing requirements and expectations for each one. Moreover, they include worksheets to help candidates prepare as well audio recordings of explanations by experts on various topics related directly or indirectly to the actual exam itself.
Read TOEFL Practice Tests: 7 Full Free TOEFL Mock Tests to Take Online
Anyone can access the IELTS Prepare by IDP from here: https://ielts.idp.com/canada/prepare/ielts-test-preparation-material
IELTS Essentials Computer-Delivered IELTS
IELTS Essentials, a website run by IDP Education that provides valuable resources for those preparing or taking the computer-based IELTS exam. Moreover, the website allows you to take the practice test and learn more about what is real test looks like. Further, you can also find study materials if needed before starting preparation. Besides, you can also register to take computer-delivered versions which offer wider date availability than traditional paper-based exams while still providing high-quality results processing.
Although the computer-delivered IELTS testing system is similar to the paper version, it has some key differences. These practice tests from IELTS Essentials give you an opportunity for a virtual experience before your actual test.
Read TOEFL Preparation: Best Free Online Resources, Guidelines, and Mock Test Opportunities
Anyone can access the IELTS essentials from here: https://ielts.idp.com/prepare/article-get-familiar-ielts-on-computer
IELTS.org
The IELTS practice test from ielts.org is a great way to calm your nerves and prepare for the real thing! This site has all of their official materials, so you know what will be on exam day-of when taking it live. Moreover, it provides access not only in terms of topics covered but also by having both free sample questions available AND some video lessons teaching techniques that can't really be found elsewhere online besides maybe via YouTube tutorials. Additionally, IELTS.org provides the answer key of the practice test. As a result, you can make yourself correct before sitting for the actual exam.
Read SAT Preparation: Free Online Resources for Study, Mock Tests, and Guidelines
Anyone can access the IELTS.org from here: https://www.ielts.org/usa/ielts-practice-test
GlobalExam
GlobalExam is a reliable and up-to-date resource for IELTS students. All content on this website has been produced by updated teachers with years of experience, providing you immediate feedback along your journey towards success!
GlobalExam offers a full mock test which resembles the real exam conditions while you get the corrections after the practice test. Your results are saved automatically so that you can check on your status later. Furthermore, they also provide grammar study sheets when it comes to vocabulary! They even have "training schedules" which will help organize preparation by giving users an increasingly thorough program they should follow before taking IELTS.
Read Step by Step Guide to Publish a Research Paper in an International Journal
Anyone can access the GlobalExam from here: https://global-exam.com/en
IELTS Liz
The IELTS Liz website is a great place for those who want to improve their language skills. It offers free exercises, as well as many tips from experienced teachers that have been taught throughout the world on how best students prepare themselves before taking these tests!
IELTS Liz also has its own YouTube channel if you would rather watch videos instead of reading text all day long. It covers every aspect of speaking/listening etc., so no matter what level he/she may be at this point in time there will always be something new waiting just around each corner.
Read GMAT Preparation: Free Online Resources for Study, Mock Tests, and Guidelines
Anyone can access the GlobalExam from here: https://ieltsliz.com/
IELTS Mentor
This resource is a great way to get expert advice on what you should be doing when taking IELTS. It includes many sample questions with answers, as well as guidance for each section of the exam and vocabulary words that need attention!
Anyone can access the GlobalExam from here: https://www.ielts-mentor.com/
Final Words
So far, we have mentioned seven websites that offer high-quality full free IELTS practice tests. We hope that you find this blog post helpful and it will help you to achieve your desired score in the real IELTS exam.
Read Best Countries to Study and Work in 2021