Bangladesh’s Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the country’s education system will be restructured to become more employment-oriented, skill-based, and modern. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion in Mirpur on February 21, 2026, marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day, he said the current traditional education model increases unemployment and fails to align with job market demands. He emphasized that education should reduce unemployment and build skilled human resources.

The minister noted that the spread of vocational education remains insufficient and urged prioritizing real employment needs and market relevance over opening new institutions or subjects. He also highlighted the importance of preserving the Bengali language while improving English proficiency to compete globally. State Minister Bobby Hajjaj, speaking at the same event, pledged strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against corruption in all ministry departments and stressed strengthening the education foundation for sustainable development.

The event was chaired by Secretary Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana and attended by senior officials, teachers, students, and parents.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Chattogram-4, Professor Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury, emphasized the need to equip madrasa students with modern, technical, and general education alongside Arabic studies. He made the remarks on Friday, the second day of Ramadan, while addressing a prayer and iftar gathering at the orphanage of Islamia Arabia Madrasa in Kumira Union, Sitakunda. The event began with Quran recitation by a student and included special prayers for national peace and prosperity.

Aslam Chowdhury stated that supporting orphans and underprivileged children is a moral duty and prayed for divine guidance to serve humanity. The program also featured prayers for the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and for the well-being of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and MP Aslam Chowdhury. Local BNP leaders, madrasa teachers, and community members attended the event.

Organizers said the initiative aimed to share iftar with orphans and pray for the nation’s welfare. Locals viewed such humanitarian and social efforts as vital for strengthening compassion, harmony, and unity in society.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination form fill-up will begin on March 1 and continue until March 9, according to a notice published on the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board’s website. Students will be able to complete the process online, and those who miss the initial deadline may submit their forms with a late fee from March 11 to March 18. Fees can be paid through Sonali Seba until March 18.

The notice states that only students with valid registrations are eligible to fill out the application forms. Any candidate attempting to sit for subjects outside their registration will have those exams canceled without further communication. For physically disabled, cerebral palsy, or special-needs students registered with the Department of Social Services, participation in selection tests may be relaxed.

Institutions may arrange subject-based model tests to help students prepare for the HSC exams, but participation in such tests is not mandatory, and no additional fees may be charged for them.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has announced that the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination form fill-up will start on March 1 and continue until March 9. The notice, published on February 19 on the board’s official website, states that students can complete the process online. Those who miss the initial deadline may submit their forms with a late fee between March 11 and March 18. Fees can be paid through Sonali Seba until March 18.

According to the announcement, only students with valid registrations are eligible to fill out the form. Any candidate attempting to sit for subjects outside their registration will have those exams canceled without further communication. The notice also mentions that physically disabled, cerebral palsy, or special-needs students registered with the Department of Social Services may be exempted from participating in selection tests. Educational institutions may arrange subject-based model tests to enhance student preparation, but participation is not mandatory, and no additional fees may be charged.

The board’s directive aims to ensure a transparent and accessible process for all eligible HSC candidates under the 2026 examination cycle.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced three top priorities for Bangladesh’s education sector: creating an environment to bring students back to classrooms, reviewing the national curriculum, and modernizing technical education. He made the announcement on Thursday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Education in Dhaka, where he also addressed questions from journalists.

The minister said teacher transfers within the ministry will be managed through an automatic app-based system to prevent corruption, ensuring merit-based and transparent processes. He added that the transfer process for MPO-listed teachers would be launched as soon as possible. Regarding teacher movements for demands, he urged teachers to focus on teaching rather than protests, assuring that legitimate demands would be considered.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj outlined twelve plans of the new government, emphasizing education as the state’s primary investment and the foundation for nation-building. These include implementing a “One Teacher, One Tab” policy, introducing a third language, making sports compulsory at the secondary level, reforming curriculum and examinations, and strengthening accountability in higher education.

Bangladesh’s Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the ministry will focus on three key priorities: encouraging students to attend classes, reviewing and refining the national curriculum, and improving technical education. He made the announcement during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room in the Secretariat on Thursday afternoon, where State Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj also presented the ministry’s new agenda.

The minister said the government will examine how to bring English-medium schools under legal oversight, ensuring that all educational institutions operate within the law. He emphasized that schools must obtain proper authorization before opening and ensure student safety. Milan added that preparations are underway to hold the upcoming SSC examinations smoothly and expressed hope that anti-cheating drives would no longer be necessary.

He further stated that teachers should not leave classrooms for protests and that steps will be taken to prevent such situations. The minister also pledged to address complaints about retirement benefits for private teachers and review the MPO system for necessary action.

Residents of Matlab North and South upazilas in Chandpur observed February 19 as a day of mourning, marking 21 years since the MV Maharaj launch disaster. On this day in 2005, the vessel capsized in a storm near Pagla in Narayanganj while traveling from Dhaka’s Sadarghat to Matlab, carrying more than two hundred passengers. The accident claimed the lives of over two hundred men, women, and children from Chandpur, Shariatpur, Bhola, and other districts.

Among the victims were several prominent local figures, including teachers, engineers, and businesspeople. Survivors recalled the tragedy as an unimaginable ordeal. Unidentified bodies were buried as unclaimed at the Riyazul Jannat graveyard in Matlab South, where families still visit to pray for their loved ones. Each year, locals and relatives hold prayers, memorials, and mourning gatherings to honor the victims.

Families of the deceased have renewed their call for stronger river transport safety measures to prevent similar disasters in the future, emphasizing that February 19 remains a painful reminder that time has not erased.

An oil-carrying train derailed early Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Amnura in Chapainawabganj while en route from Khulna to the Amnura Power Plant. Following the incident, a relief train from Ishwardi arrived at the site around 10 a.m. but also derailed shortly after beginning rescue operations, causing further complications.

According to Amnura Railway Station Master Hasibul Islam, the relief train was later recovered through the efforts of railway officials. He confirmed that the rescue work for the derailed oil train is still ongoing. The double derailment has suspended rail communication between Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj and disrupted several train schedules.

Railway authorities are repairing the damaged track and working to remove the derailed train. Normal train operations on the route are expected to resume once repairs are completed. Passengers have experienced travel difficulties since the morning due to the sudden disruption.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has inaugurated the country’s first Election Lab, dedicated solely to election-based research. The initiative, led by the Department of Political Studies, was formally launched on February 19, 2026, at the Social Science Building by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury. The lab aims to conduct systematic and empirical studies on elections, voting behavior, and electoral processes. The Vice-Chancellor expressed hope that the lab would help improve future elections through data collection and analysis.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by university officials, including Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain and department faculty members. Election Lab Director Professor Dr. Md. Shahabul Haque stated that the lab seeks to produce reliable research outcomes through scientific analysis of election-related data and to strengthen democratic practices. Following the launch, a seminar titled “Analysis of the 13th National Parliamentary Election Results” was held, where teachers and students discussed voting trends, political significance, and overall impacts.

The lab was approved on February 1, 2026, to unify prior departmental research on electoral surveys and candidate data. It is supported by the development and civic organization Impact Initiative.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has imposed restrictions on carrying or consuming iftar and other food items inside metro trains and stations during the holy month of Ramadan. Passengers will only be allowed to carry a 250-milliliter water bottle for drinking during iftar time, and empty bottles must be disposed of in designated bins. The directive, signed by DMTCL Director (Administration) A.K.M. Khairul Alam on February 16, also instructs passengers to avoid spilling water and to maintain cleanliness.

The notice includes a revised metro rail schedule to align with Ramadan office hours. Starting Thursday, February 19, trains will operate under the new timetable until the day before Eid-ul-Fitr. The first train from Uttara North to Motijheel will depart at 6:30 a.m. and the last at 9:30 p.m., while the first train from Motijheel to Uttara North will leave at 7:15 a.m. and the last at 10:10 p.m.

The directive reiterates that similar restrictions were in place in previous years, maintaining consistency in Ramadan operations for the metro service.

All schools, colleges and madrasas across Bangladesh have closed from Thursday, February 19, in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued separate revised notifications on Wednesday night confirming the closure. The decision extends to all government and private primary, lower secondary and secondary institutions.

According to the revised schedule, the holiday will continue until March 26. As March 26 falls on a Thursday, the following Friday and Saturday weekly holidays will allow teachers and staff to enjoy an extended break. Earlier, under a notification issued on January 19 by the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, madrasas had already been closed from February 15 to March 26.

Classes in all affected institutions are scheduled to resume on March 29, following the end of the holiday period.

The government has decided to keep all public primary schools closed during the holy month of Ramadan. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a gazette notification releasing the revised holiday list and academic calendar for the 2026 school year. According to the updated schedule, schools will remain closed from February 19 to March 26, covering 26 days for Ramadan, Sri Sri Harichand Thakur’s appearance day, Shab-e-Qadr, Jummatul-Wida, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence and National Day.

The revised calendar also sets the total number of annual holidays at 67 days, excluding weekly holidays on Fridays and Saturdays. The notification specifies that schools cannot be closed for official visits or receptions, and students must not be made to stand on roads to greet visiting dignitaries. Schools may open during holidays if necessary for admission or examinations. Head teachers must take reserved leave with approval from the upazila or thana education officer.

The directive further instructs schools to observe national days such as February 21, March 26, Bengali New Year, and December 16 with due respect.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the schedule for the written examinations of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). According to a notice published on Wednesday on the BPSC website, the exams will begin on April 9 and continue on April 12, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 across eight divisional cities: Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh. The first day will feature the Bangla paper, a three-hour exam worth 100 marks.

The notice stated that written tests for compulsory subjects will follow the announced schedule, while the timetable for post-specific subjects will be released later. Details regarding exam halls, seating arrangements, and other important instructions will be published in due course on the BPSC and Teletalk Bangladesh Limited websites.

Candidates can access the full schedule, including dates and times for compulsory subjects, directly from the BPSC website.

The Ministry of Education has officially announced that all government and private secondary and lower secondary schools in Bangladesh will remain closed during the holy month of Ramadan. The revised holiday schedule was released on Wednesday, confirming that schools will close from Thursday and reopen after March 26. As March 26 falls on a Thursday, teachers and staff will enjoy holidays until March 28.

Earlier, the High Court had ordered schools to remain closed for the entire month of Ramadan following a writ petition. However, an appeal against that order led to a stay, creating confusion among students and parents about the holiday schedule. The ministry’s new announcement resolves that uncertainty.

Before this decision, educational institutions had already been closed for five consecutive days due to the 13th national election, a referendum, and the Shivratri observance. Classes had resumed on Monday. Meanwhile, madrasa holidays for Ramadan and Eid will continue until March 28, and colleges will reopen on March 29 according to their respective calendars.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has announced a holiday for all government primary schools starting Thursday, February 19, and continuing until March 26. The decision was detailed in a circular issued on Wednesday, February 18. The ministry stated that the holiday period covers several important religious and national occasions, including the holy month of Ramadan, the appearance day of Sri Sri Harichand Thakur, Shab-e-Qadr on March 17, Jummatul Wida on March 20, Eid-ul-Fitr on March 21, and Independence and National Day on March 26.

According to the official notice, the extended closure aims to accommodate observances of multiple religious and national events occurring in close succession. The announcement applies specifically to government-run primary schools across the country.

The ministry’s circular provides clarity for students, teachers, and guardians regarding the academic schedule during this period, ensuring alignment with national and religious observances.