United News of Bangladesh

In a decisive move aimed at minimizing the anxiety levels among students, Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel announced his decision to refrain from visiting Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination centers this year. The announcement, made through a press release by the Education Ministry on Monday (February 05, 2024), underscores the minister’s concern over the psychological impact such official visits have on students, including heightened stress and public inconvenience. Nowfel urges to refrain from unhealthy politics over opposing curriculum Minister Nowfel pointed out the inadvertent “harassment situation and mental agony” that his presence might cause, exacerbating the challenges students already face during this critical examination period. He also expressed his commitment to prioritizing the wellbeing of examinees over traditional inspection practices. Nowfel wants new unis to refrain from running undergraduate courses at start of journey The disruption caused by such visits, including delayed entry of students into examination centers, was also a key concern cited by the minister. He took the opportunity to remind the public and officials of the legal framework governing access to examination halls, emphasizing that “only the designated center inspector is allowed entry into the exam hall,” as per existing regulations. Nowfel to prioritise innovation, performance over ceremonial aspects

A coordination committee on evaluation system and curriculum will be formed headed by an additional secretary of the Ministry of Education.   It was decided to form this committee in the review meeting related to curriculum and textbook distribution and improvement in a meeting at the ministry on Sunday.   According to the decision of the meeting, representatives of NCTB, representatives of various departments under the ministry, and representatives of boards will be members of this committee.

New deans have been appointed in the Business Studies faculty and Life and Earth Sciences faculty of Jagannath University (JnU). Finance Department Prof. Dr. Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan has been appointed as the new dean of the Business Studies faculty, and Geography and Environment Department prof. Dr. Mallik Akram Hossain has been appointed as the dean of the Life and Earth Sciences faculty. This information was informed in two separate office orders signed by the registrar of the university, Engr. Md. Ohiduzzaman. According to an office order, the term of the current dean of the Business Studies faculty of the University will end on February 6, and as per Section 22(5) of the Jagannath University Act, 2005, subject to the approval of the Syndicate, Finance Department Professor Dr. Manjur Morshed Bhuiyan has been appointed as the dean for the next two years. This order will come into effect from February 7. In another office order, it is said that the term of the current dean of the Life and Earth Sciences faculty of the university will end on February 3, and as per Section 22(5) of the University Act, Dr. Mallik Akram Hossain, professor of Geography and Environment Department, has been appointed as the dean subject to the approval of the Syndicate. The order will come into effect from February 4.

Dhaka hosted the Australian Education Expo, offering Bangladeshi students insights into higher education prospects in Australia. Australian institutions unveiled exclusive scholarships, some covering up to a hundred percent of tuition fees, specifically designed for Bangladeshi students. The expo, held at the Westin Hotel in the capital on Wednesday, showcased Australia's growing appeal as a preferred destination for higher education among Bangladeshi learners. The event, organized by Executive Study Abroad, featured representatives from prestigious institutions such as the University of Adelaide, Monash University, and Macquarie University. Farhana Nazrin, General Manager of Executive Study Abroad, along with Mohammed Rabbani Hossain, Chief Executive Officer, and Sajjadur Rahman, Director, highlighted the comprehensive services provided by the institution. These services include admission assistance and visa processing for various universities, all offered free of charge. The expo proved valuable for participants, providing instant evaluations for potential admissions and direct engagement with university representatives. Australia's reputation for offering quality education and pathways to esteemed global universities was reinforced through this event. The organizers reiterated their commitment to supporting students by continuing to provide free visa assistance and admission services from the institution’s Banani and Dhanmondi offices, extending this assistance beyond the conclusion of the education fair.

The 13th Inter-School Bangla Olympiad will be held with the participation of English-medium and English-version curriculum schools on February 24. The hosting authority, International Hope School Bangladesh (IHSB), informed the matter at a press conference at the Sagor-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on Tuesday. The programme is being organised every year to commemorate International Mother Language Day on February 21, while the International Mother Language Institute has joined this competition since last year. More than 1,500 students from 100 different schools are expected to participate, while students will take part in the mega event through seven different categories: poem recitation, extempore speech, essay writing, drawing, group dance, singing and Bangla quiz said the organisers. IHSB Principal Roksana Zarin said the school has been playing an important role in Bengali language and culture by organising such a big competition for more than a decade. "In the meantime, Bangla Olympiad has become a national competition for English medium schools. Not only nationally, I would say, but Bengali Olympiad is spreading in the international arena as well. "Through this competition, English medium and English version schools in the country pay tribute to language martyrs during the month of language. This is the country's biggest event in English medium school programmes in Bengali during Language month. English medium students are also very advanced in learning Bengali language and culture; Bangla Olympiad proves this," she added. Kamrul Ahsan, co-ordinator of the Bangla Olympiad, said the Olympiad is the most significant event in the country during the month of February. The fear and aversion they had towards the Bengali language and culture have been overcome by the Bangla Olympiad. "Now the prominent schools of the country wait for our Bengali Olympiad all year round. Being awarded in the Bengali Olympiad is considered an achievement of great honour in English medium schools," he said. Kamrul said students awarded in Bengali Olympiad are increasing their connection with Bengali language and culture in their personal lives as well. "We believe that many of the participants in our competition will grow up to be great writers and artists and brighten the image of the country at home and abroad," he hoped. The online registration for the Olympiad, which will begin on February 1, will end on February 14, while the schools can register their participation at the Banglaolympiad.org website. International Hope School Bangladesh was established in 1996. Apart from education since its inception, this school has been working relentlessly in cultural and intellectual activities. Mizanur Rahman, a Bengali teacher at IHSB, moderated the conference, deputy head Alsher Rahimberdiev was also present in the programme.

Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel said on Monday that if there is anything confusing in the new textbooks, it will be corrected. He urged everyone to refrain from unhealthy politics in the name of opposing the curriculum. He said participation of madrasa teachers in the National Curriculum and Textbook Board will be ensured. As a result, they will be able to give their opinions and contribute to the textbooks prepared for madrasas. What BRAC University says about Asif Mahtab The minister was speaking at a view exchange meeting with the Swadhinata Madrasa Teachers' Council at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital on Monday. The minister highlighted the centuries-long tradition of discussing Islamic philosophy in the country's Aliya madrasas in this subcontinent. He emphasized that the new curriculum, aligned with Islamic education, has been warmly received by students and parents. He further mentioned that the new curriculum is skill-oriented and will assist madrasa students in entering the job market without any conflict with religious values. DPS STS Dhaka organises STEAM Carnival to promote innovation Nowfel emphasized that after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has played the most significant role in the development of religious education. The government has not only constructed 18 madrasa buildings but also enrolled a significant number of madrasas under the MPO (Monthly Pay Order) system, he informed. JnU student Khadija discharged from one DSA case During the meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious and Madrasa Education, Dr. Farid Uddin Ahmed, stated that madrasa students study religious subjects alongside the national curriculum. Therefore, they are actively contributing to various fields while maintaining harmony with the mainstream. Habibur Rahman, Director-General of the Department of Madrasa Education, and Dr Abdul Rashid, Vice-Chancellor of the Islamic Arabic University, were present at the time, among others.

BRAC University, a renowned private university of the country, today issued a statement clearing its stance over the recent incidents involving part-time teacher Asif Mahtab Utsha and demonstration by some students on the campus. BRAC University said it believes, like all great institutions of higher education, its role should be to create space for all views to be discussed and debated constructively, predicated on tolerance and respect. The university said that it considers any act of vandalism towards national property as unacceptable behavior and does not tolerate or support such activities. Read more: Youth with disabilities deprived of learning, employment scopes: Study “The recent act of tearing pages of a textbook published by the Government of Bangladesh, included in the national curriculum for students enrolled in 7th grade in schools, and asking others to do the same in a public forum, is an act of vandalism, a behavior not supported by BRAC University,” the statement reads. The university said, it therefore, cannot offer a part-time teaching contract to Asif Mahtab Utsha for the Spring 2024 semester. However, the university will compensate him for his time and efforts towards his preparatory work for Spring 2024. BRAC University said it respects and fully complies with the country's constitution and laws on all matters. Accordingly, it does not promote homosexuality as has been alleged by some quarters in various social media content. However, BRAC University said it believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realize their potential. Read more: Jamaat congratulates dismissed BRACU teacher Asif Mahtab, criticizes govt’s education policy

Delhi Public School Dhaka has organised STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Carnival at the school’s Senior Campus to promote innovation and inspire curiosity. Students from Grades 5-12 got an opportunity to exhibit their knowledge and skills in the fields of STEAM held on Saturday. The Carnival was held with around 2,000 visitors for the second time, according to a media release. JnU student Khadija discharged from one DSA case Apart from students of DPS STS, students from Singapore School Kinderland, The Aga Khan School, Dhaka, Chittagong Grammar School, Scholastica, and International Hope School Bangladesh also participated in the STEAM Carnival. The projects represented creativity, innovation, and a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

Jagannath University (JnU) student Khadijatul Kubra was discharged from a case filed under the Digital Security Act at Kalabagan police station in the capital. However, the other case, filed at Newmarket police station, was postponed for hearing till February 29. Dhaka Cyber Tribunal judge AM Zulfiqar Hayat passed the order on Sunday. Don't put pressure on children for study: JnU VC Sadeka Halim In October 2020, police filed two cases against Khadija and retired Maj Delowar Hossain at the Kalabagan and New Market Police Stations for 'spreading anti-government propaganda and harming Bangladesh's reputation.' The allegations in the two cases filed a week apart were similar. Police arrested Khadija on September 17, 2022. JnU to organise 3-day theatre festival from January 28 Khadija suffered over 14 months of jail in the DSA cases, and finally walked out of jail on Nov 20, 2023, after securing bail from the Supreme Cout. According to the case details, Khadija and Delowar conspired to broadcast false, fabricated, and defamatory propaganda about the prime minister, various government agencies, and senior state officials in order to oust the country's legitimate administration. They were aiming to destroy communal harmony through their conspiracy by promoting enmity, hatred, and division among various communities, it said. UGC forcibly imposed GST system on us: JnU Teachers Association Khadija was 17 when the cases were filed under the Digital Security Act in 2020, but the case was filed showing her as an adult, according to her lawyer. Despite having kidney disease, Khadija's bail petitions were repeatedly denied by a Dhaka court.

All coaching centres will remain closed for a month as the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are scheduled to begin from February 15, said Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel. This year, a total of 20,24,192 examinees will appear in the examinations from 29,735 educational institutions at 3700 centres, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting over ensuring fair and copying-free environment during the examinations. EWU hosts freshers’ orientation for the 2024 Spring Semester The coaching centres will remain shut from February 13 to March 12, he added. The meeting also decided that no mobile phone and electronic devices will be allowed in the examination centres and only the hall secretary will be allowed to use a general phone set without internet connection. Don't put pressure on children for study: JnU VC Sadeka Halim The question code will be announced 25 minutes before the exam begins. Secretary to the Secondary and Higher Secondary Educaiton Soleman Khan, Secretary to the Technical and Madrasha Education Department Farid Uddin Ahmed, chairman of all education boards and law enforcing agencies were present at the meeting. Education Minister calls for further review of exam and evaluation system