The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) is set to be divided into two distinct entities: the Directorate of Secondary Education and the Directorate of College Education. The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the Principal Advisor has approved this plan. A six-member committee has been formed to prepare comprehensive proposals for the two new directorates, including separate organograms, work allocations, and the Table of Officers & Equipment (TO&E). The committee, led by the Joint Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, has been instructed to submit the organograms within 30 days. Members include senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Finance Division, Public Administration Ministry, and the current DSHE leadership. This restructuring aims to streamline administrative processes and improve the governance of both secondary and higher education in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka College Heritage and Identity Preservation Committee has issued a stern warning that they will launch strict protests if the proposed draft for Dhaka Central University is not revised. At a press conference on October 12, convener Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, a former Dhaka College Students’ Union VP and BNP leader, said the draft could jeopardize the autonomy of seven prominent government colleges and restrict women’s education at Eden and Badrunnisa Colleges. The committee called for establishing Dhaka Central University following Oxford, Federal, or similar models, while preserving the independence, heritage, and competitive academic programs of these colleges. They presented ten proposals, emphasizing protection of infrastructure, scholarships, faculty ratios, student welfare, and avoidance of hybrid education systems. Human chains and further protests are planned at the National Press Club on October 16 if demands are not met.

The results of this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations are likely to be released on October 16, pending approval from the Ministry of Education. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee held on October 9, where all board chairmen agreed on the proposed date. An official confirmed that the proposal would be sent to the ministry for final approval, after which results from all 11 education boards will be announced simultaneously. This year, a total of 1,251,111 students appeared in the examinations—618,015 boys and 633,096 girls—across 2,797 exam centers nationwide. The written exams concluded on August 19, while practical tests were held from August 21 to 31. According to the Public Examination Act, results must be published within 60 days of the written exams’ completion.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has assured that the party is committed to fulfilling the demands of private teachers within the country’s financial capacity if it comes to power. Speaking at a teachers’ rally organized at Dhaka’s historic Suhrawardy Udyan on October 7 to mark World Teachers’ Day, Rahman emphasized that teachers are the true role models for students beyond the family sphere. He stated that when teachers struggle for dignity and livelihood, they cannot fully inspire students. The BNP leader announced that the party is working on practical plans to ensure teachers’ financial and social security, aiming to build an education system that empowers teachers with confidence. Thousands of educators from across the nation attended the event, pressing four key demands, including nationalization of jobs and increasing the retirement age to 65. Rahman also urged teachers to take the lead in building an anti-corruption and knowledge-based society.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) has announced the tentative schedule for its admission tests for the 2025–26 academic session, marking the 55th batch of students. According to the university’s Central Admission Test Committee, the exams are expected to begin in the last week of December 2025. The decision was made during a committee meeting held on Tuesday (October 7), confirmed Deputy Registrar (Education) Syed Mohammad Ali Reza. He mentioned that the committee, led by the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, will oversee the coordination of all related activities for the admission process. Professor Rahman, who chairs the Central Admission Committee, stated that while the schedule has been tentatively set, decisions regarding the number of exam centers or changes in unit-wise exams are yet to be finalized. Further details are expected to be announced following the committee’s next meeting.

Professor Muhammad Azad Khan, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), has formally requested to be relieved from his position, citing health-related difficulties. He submitted his resignation request on Tuesday, October 7, to the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. The development follows discussions within the Ministry of Education about replacing him due to dissatisfaction among policymakers with his performance. On Monday, the Ministry announced an open call for applications for the DG post, inviting BCS (General Education) officers of the 16th batch or above to apply within seven working days. Applicants must demonstrate integrity, administrative competence, and academic excellence. Sources indicate the Ministry aims to ensure a transparent recruitment process, preventing unqualified or politically backed candidates from being appointed. Professor Azad Khan, who has been in office since February 20, made his decision amid growing speculation about leadership changes within DSHE.

The admission test for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course in Bangladesh’s government and private medical colleges for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on December 12. The Ministry of Health, Education, and Family Welfare finalized the date in a meeting on Monday. Professor Rubina Yasmin, Additional Director General (Medical Education) of the Directorate General of Health Services, confirmed preparations are underway. The exam is being scheduled earlier than previous years due to the national parliamentary elections in February 2026 and the month of Ramadan. Bangladesh currently has 110 medical colleges, including 37 government colleges with 5,380 seats and 67 approved private colleges with 6,293 seats, along with one Armed Forces Medical College and five private army colleges. Last year’s exam was held on January 17, making this year’s test more than a month earlier.

The government has raised the housing allowance for MPO-listed teachers and staff by just Tk 500—from Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500—through a new directive issued by the Finance Division. However, teachers’ associations have rejected this increase as insufficient and announced a continuous protest in front of the National Press Club beginning October 12. They demand that housing allowances be set at 20% of basic pay and that medical allowances rise from Tk 500 to Tk 1,500. The Finance Division’s order, signed by Deputy Secretary Sharifunnesa, states the change will take effect once the relevant administrative ministry issues its approval. It also warns that any irregularities in payments will hold the disbursing authority accountable. Despite the official adjustment, teachers argue the increase fails to reflect rising living costs.

The National University of Bangladesh has introduced new rules for its Degree (Pass) and Certificate course students, requiring regular class attendance to obtain in-course examination marks. According to an official notice issued on October 4 by the university’s examination controller, students will be assessed based on 15% in-course exam marks and 5% class attendance marks. Those missing either component will not be allowed to fill out final exam forms. The 2024 second-year in-course exams will begin on October 12 and be held in two phases, ending on November 27. Private students will be assessed out of 20% marks based solely on the in-course exam. Colleges must conduct exams, evaluate answer scripts, and enter marks online within the stipulated period. Once entered, marks cannot be changed. All evaluated documents must be sealed and submitted by December 9 to the Gazipur campus or respective regional centers.

Teachers recommended by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) are set to announce a strict program demanding the prompt initiation of transfer procedures. A press conference will be held tomorrow, October 5, at 10:00 a.m. at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club under the banner of Bangladesh Unity of Teachers. Spokesperson A.H. Bablu stated that despite the policy requiring vacancy data collection from September, the process has not been followed. He emphasized that teachers prefer not to take strict action but will escalate if the government fails to respond to their ultimatum. Long-standing stagnation of teachers at single institutions has hindered professional development, prompting the government to introduce an automatic transfer system. However, software control issues and court petitions have stalled transfers. NTRCA-recommended teachers are now mobilizing again to press for immediate resumption of the transfer process.

A 12-day holiday for Durga Puja, Fateha-i-Yazdaham, Prabarana Purnima, and Lakshmi Puja is scheduled from September 28 to October 7 for secondary schools and colleges. Academic activities were set to restart on October 8. However, confusion has arisen after the Ministry of Education directed institutions not to hold exams on October 8 and 9. Some school authorities misinterpreted the directive and announced extended holidays until October 9, causing uncertainty among students, parents, and teachers. Officials from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) have clarified that the official holiday ends on October 7, and schools must reopen on October 8. Classes will continue as usual, though no exams can be scheduled on October 8 and 9. The ministry emphasized that the directive was meant only to ensure exam-free days, not to prolong the holiday. Authorities urged institutions to follow instructions strictly and seek clarification if in doubt.

The Private University Students’ Alliance of Bangladesh (PUSAB) has held a high-level meeting with Education Adviser CR Abrar to address the pressing need for reforms in the private university sector. Student leaders presented a 25-point reform charter titled “Private University Liberation Declaration,” highlighting issues such as teacher-student welfare, quality assurance in higher education, and the formation of a dedicated reform commission. PUSAB leaders stressed that with proper government support, private universities could become more student-friendly and capable of delivering world-class education.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has suspended its earlier decision to introduce the EQ-2 quota for Class XI admissions in the upcoming 2025–26 academic session.

The suspension follows a High Court stay order (Writ Petition No. 13780/2025, dated September 4, 2025). The quota was originally outlined in an August 10 directive, granting admission privileges to children of teachers, officials, and staff employed under the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education in government schools, colleges, and education offices.

The EQ-2 quota was meant to cover children of employees working across 28 offices, directorates, and agencies under the Education Ministry. With the court’s intervention, the policy is now on hold.

Authorities at Qazi Hasanuzzaman & Ajiullah Hafizia Madrasa in Raipur, Lakshmipur, have dismissed two teachers—Ataur Rahman and Sharif Hossain—for severely beating a child student.

The victim, Mahmud Hasan, was hospitalized after sustaining injuries from repeated caning. According to relatives, Mahmud was beaten six times by Sharif Hossain for failing to recite lessons, and again the next day, 12 times by Ataur Rahman, leaving him unconscious.

Mahmud later told family members that the teachers threatened to kill him if he revealed the incident to his mother.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announced that mid-day meals will be introduced in 150 primary schools between September and mid-October.
He also confirmed the reinstatement of primary school scholarships after 16 years.
Bidhan Ranjan noted that teachers are often burdened with non-academic tasks, disrupting education. He pledged to reduce holidays in the school calendar.
Bangladesh’s literacy rate among people aged 7 and above now stands at 77.9%, while 22.1% remain illiterate. He added that 32,000 teachers are awaiting promotion to headmaster positions, which will create thousands of new posts.