United News of Bangladesh

In a move to uplift educational standards for lower-income students, the government is prioritising both improved amenities and the quality of learning in primary schools, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar has said. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters before a view-exchange meeting at the Rangpur District Shilpakala Academy on Monday afternoon. Dr Poddar said the School Feeding Programme (SFP) will begin in government primary schools across the country from next month. He noted that the procurement process is already underway, and training for implementation teams is in progress. "All preparations will be completed by August, and the programme will be launched in September," he said. Students urged to work hard for success The adviser explained that the initiative will be carried out nationwide through two separate projects. Of these, the larger project will cover all government primary schools in 150 upazilas, while the other will be implemented specifically in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban. Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, secretary to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education; Md Shahidul Islam, Rangpur divisional commissioner; Abu Nur Md Shamsuzzaman, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education; and Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, director (Policy and Operation) of the same directorate, were also present. Dr Roy further said that the recruitment process for around 14,000 teachers is underway. This includes elevating head teachers to the 10th grade and hiring 3,000 head teachers through the Public Service Commission (PSC). "In addition to enhancing facilities in government primary schools for lower-income communities, the government is placing strong emphasis on quality improvement," he said. While private kindergarten students are not eligible for the current scholarship exams, a separate system is being arranged for them, he added. Around 50,000 students apply for SSC re-evaluation in Jashore; results on Aug 10 Addressing the issue of limited teaching hours, the adviser mentioned that there are only 180 school days in a year. “If there is no strong teacher-student connection, learning remains restricted,” he said. To address this, schools are being transformed into joyful learning spaces through co-curricular activities and child-friendly environments.

The British Council has recently organised its annual Young Learner Art Competition 2025 at its English Teaching Centre on Dhaka University’s Fuller Road premises, engaging young learners aged 7 to 17 in a vibrant celebration of creativity and cultural diversity. Held under the theme 'Colours of the World', the competition encouraged participants to express their perspectives on diversity, culture, and the beauty of differences through art. The event featured four age-based categories—Lower Primary (8 and under), Upper Primary (9-11), Secondary (12-15), and Upper Secondary (16 and above). Young participants submitted a wide range of imaginative artworks, which were showcased in a week-long exhibition at the centre. The initiative aimed to inspire young learners beyond the classroom by promoting creativity as part of their English language development. Teachers at the British Council played a key role in guiding students through lessons that helped them communicate their ideas through various artistic mediums. The winners and runners-up from each level were selected by a panel of judges, and their works will advance to the British Council’s regional competition in October. All participating students received certificates of appreciation. Stephen Forbes, Country Director of the British Council in Bangladesh, attended the award-giving ceremony on August 1 and commended the children's creativity. “We are delighted to host this art competition for children who have displayed a wonderful spark of imagination and creativity through their artwork themed ‘Colours of the World’. At the British Council, we provide a fun learning environment to help young learners become confident, happy, and skilled global leaders of the future,” he said. During his visit, Forbes also toured classrooms and interacted with students, parents, and guardians, sharing words of encouragement with the budding artists. The competition forms part of the British Council’s wider efforts to make English learning engaging and impactful for children and teenagers. With Cambridge-certified expert teachers, the organisation ensures personalised learning through interactive classroom sessions, online activities, and continuous progress tracking. The British Council, which has been working globally for over 90 years, supports peace and prosperity by fostering connections and trust through education, arts, and culture. Its English courses for young learners are designed to enhance creativity, communication, and confidence at every developmental stage. Interested parents or learners can avail of free phone consultations by calling +88 09666 773377 or visiting the British Council Bangladesh website: https://www.britishcouncil.org.bd/en/english-courses/kids-teens.

Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday urged students to embrace hard work and perseverance as the only path to true success in life. “There are no shortcuts in life. You must work hard—success will inevitably follow,” he said while addressing a reception at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital. The event was organised by Greater Noakhali Welfare Samity, Dhaka, to honour meritorious students and distinguished personalities from the Greater Noakhali region. Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud attended the event as the main discussant. Emphasising the need for holistic learning, Salehuddin noted that academic achievements alone are not enough. “Students must also learn from life experiences and spread the light of knowledge to others,” he said. Wahiduddin highlighted the importance of preserving the Noakhali dialect for future generations and outlined several development initiatives for the region. These include the planned relaunch of train services to Noakhali and the introduction of a ferry service to Hatia within the next couple of months. He clarified that there is currently no plan to construct an airport in Noakhali, but advocated for upgrading the Noakhali–Cumilla regional highway to a national highway for improved connectivity. Addressing the students, he also stressed the need to harness their talents through diligence and commitment. NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan, also speaking at the event, called upon the youth to uphold national interests in all their endeavors and combine merit with persistent effort to achieve their goals. The event concluded with both advisers distributing certificates among the honoured students.  

Dhaka University’s Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall has inaugurated a 'July Center' today at its July Shahid Smriti Bhaban as part of embracing and celebrating the spirit of the July mass uprising. This is the first hall-based 'July Center' at Dhaka University. On the occasion of this event, the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University, Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, was present as the chief guest. The event was presided over by Professor Dr. Md. Akhteruzzaman, the Provost of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall, while conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Md. Khorshed Alam of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. In his speech Dr. Mamun Ahmed said that the July Revolution of 2024 was not merely a protest by students, but rather a reawakening of the nation’s conscience. Dhaka University was the inspiration, epicenter, and leading force of that awakening. Our classrooms became stages for strategic planning, and the campus turned into a fortress of struggle for justice and democracy. He further said that the spirit of building an inclusive, discrimination-free society—left by ‘July’—cannot be confined only to memory. The continuous resonance of that spirit is possible through this ‘July Center’. It will be an important hub for research, education, and inspiration for the new generation. The event was also attended by residential teachers of the hall, students, officers, and staff.

Dr Md Maksud Helali, a retired professor of Mechanical Engineering at BUET, has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The appointment was announced Thursday in a gazette issued by the Education Ministry with the approval of the president and chancellor. Under Section 10(1) of the KUET Act 2003, Dr Helali will serve a four-year term, receiving the same salary and benefits as at BUET. Leadership vacuum paralyses Kuet; salaries unpaid, projects stalled He must reside full-time on campus. The President may cancel the appointment at any time.

A total of 49,779 applications have been submitted to the Jashore Education Board for the re-evaluation of SSC exam answer scripts. The re-evaluation results will be published on August 10, said Professor Dr Abdul Matin, Controller of Examinations at the board. The SSC results were published on July 10. This year, 138,851 students appeared in the examination under Jessore Board, of whom 102,319 passed. Following the result publication, students were given seven days—from July 11 to July 17—to apply for re-evaluation if they were dissatisfied with their scores. Applications were submitted for answer script re-checking in 24 subjects. HSC results 2024: Over 77% pass rate, GPA-5 achievers surge to 1.45 lakh According to the board, 16,128 applications were submitted for both English 1st and 2nd papers. Other notable figures include: Mathematics – 6,803; Science – 2,119; Chemistry – 3,272; Physics – 2,708; Biology – 2,176; and Bangladesh and Global Studies – 2,517. Dr Matin said experienced examiners will evaluate the scripts, and the board will ensure that students receive the scores they rightfully deserve.

The scheduled exams for today (Tuesday) in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent have been postponed due to the BAF training aircraft crash in Uttara, Information. Youth and Sports Advisers Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud respectively announced it on their verified Facebook accounts early Tuesday. They made the announcement following a directive from Education Adviser Professor Dr Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, read the posts. “In a meeting with the Education Adviser, the decision to postpone Tuesday’s HSC exams was confirmed,” the posts stated. The advisers took to social media to announce it around 2:30am Tuesday. Netizens and students criticized the education boards' initial decision to continue with the exams despite the national tragedy. Prof Yunus assures probe into aircraft crash, urges all not to crowd hospitals The decision followed mounting criticism on social media after the terrible aircraft crash that left dozens dead and many injured. Investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer expressed frustration on Facebook, writing, “Where is the Health Adviser? The Education Adviser already said there’s no link between today’s tragedy and the HSC exam. How can he even say that?” Rifat Rashid, president of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, also called for postponement, writing: “Postpone tomorrow’s HSC exam, Interim Authority! After such a tragedy, no student is in a state to sit for exams.” Tuesday’s scheduled exams included Chemistry (Theory) 2nd Paper, Islamic History & Culture 2nd Paper, History or Home Economics 2nd Paper, and Production & Marketing 2nd Paper.

Professor Shakil Huda has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at Dhaka University. His appointment took effect on Tuesday (July 16, 2025), according to a university press release. Prior to this, Professor Huda had been serving as the Acting Director of IBA since October 8, 2024. An alumnus of the institute, Professor Huda completed his MBA from IBA, Dhaka University in 1992, securing the first position in Marketing. He later pursued his Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Texas Tech University in the United States in 2002. Alongside his academic career, Professor Huda has extensive professional experience. He has served as a consultant for various business organizations and has conducted management development training programs for several multinational companies and leading non-governmental organizations.  

East West University (EWU) on Wednesday organised the 7th Nahreen Khan Memorial Lecture, focusing on the dynamic evolution of literary translation in Bangladesh and beyond. Held at the university’s Manjur Elahi Auditorium, the commemorative event featured Dr Niaz Zaman — educationist, 2025 Ekushey Padak recipient, and retired professor of the English Department at the Dhaka University — as the keynote speaker. Her lecture, titled “Literary Translation and Translators: Bangladesh and Beyond,” examined the shifting global landscape of translated literature and the growing recognition of translated works on international platforms. Dedicated to the memory of Nahreen Khan, a former EWU student and daughter of late Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser to the caretaker government, the event served both as a tribute and a scholarly engagement with contemporary issues in translation studies. Dr Zaman highlighted the increased prominence of literary translations in prestigious awards such as the International Booker Prize and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. She delved into the concept of self-translation, referencing Rabindranath Tagore’s English rendering of Gitanjali, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her address also tackled the cultural complexities inherent in translation, stressing the fine balance between preserving cultural specificity and ensuring accessibility for a global readership. She further explored the rise of Bangladesh's translation industry, which has moved from functional documentation to vibrant literary expression. A notable trend, she observed, is the growing demand for Bangla-to-English literary translations among the global Bengali diaspora and English-educated readers in Bangladesh. However, Dr Zaman also pointed out the challenge of international distribution of such works, proposing the use of e-books and international book fairs to broaden their reach. The importance of literary journals and newspapers in promoting translated literature was also acknowledged. The event was joined by the presence of several distinguished individuals including Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, Chairperson of the EWU Board of Trustees and former Governor of Bangladesh Bank; Professor Dr Shams Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of EWU; Professor Dr Fakrul Alam, former professor at Dhaka University; and Air Cdre (retd) Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, Treasurer of EWU. Faculty members, students, officials, and family members of the late Nahreen Khan attended the event, contributing to a rich and reflective dialogue on the present and future of literary translation.  

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations scheduled for Thursday in Gopalganj district have been postponed due to concerns over law and order, following violence centering National Citizens Party's rally on Wednesday afternoon. Curfew imposed in Gopalganj amid escalating tensions In a press release issued Wednesday night, the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee said that the Geography (Theoretical) 2nd Paper (Code-126) exam has been postponed for the safety of the candidates. However, examinations under all general education boards, including other districts under the Dhaka Education Board, will be held as scheduled. Gopalganj clashes over NCP rally leave 3 dead A revised date for the postponed exam in Gopalganj will be announced later, the release added.