The interim government of Bangladesh has proposed a major expansion of merit and general scholarships across secondary to higher education levels. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) recently sent a proposal to the Ministry of Education to increase all SSC, HSC, and undergraduate scholarships by 20 percent and to double the monthly and one-time payments for recipients. If approved, the total number of scholarship holders would rise from 41,000 to 49,151 nationwide.

According to DSHE officials, the plan aims to maintain parity with the recently enhanced junior scholarships and to address rising living and educational costs since the 2015–16 fiscal year. The proposal includes detailed revisions: SSC scholarships would increase to 30,600 recipients, HSC to 12,600, and undergraduate (honours and pass) to nearly 6,000 combined. Monthly stipends and annual grants would be doubled across all categories.

The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing the proposal before forwarding it to the Finance Division for approval. DSHE expects implementation within the current fiscal year once funding is cleared.

The Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has issued an urgent directive regarding the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. According to a notice signed by Examination Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar, test or selection exams for students intending to sit for the 2026 HSC will begin in February. The results of these tests must be published by March 10. The notice, described as 'highly urgent,' was released on Sunday in a revised form.

While the board confirmed that the test exams will start in February, it did not specify an exact date. The notice further stated that the HSC form fill-up process will begin on March 11. A detailed schedule and full instructions for form submission will be published later on the board’s official website.

The directive aims to ensure timely preparation and administrative readiness for the upcoming HSC examinations, maintaining the academic calendar for 2026 as planned.

Many secondary-level students in Bangladesh have not yet received their textbooks for the new academic year, though the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) claims improved performance compared to previous years. In a statement issued Sunday, NCTB said that despite printing contracts running until February 3, all remaining secondary and technical books would be delivered by January 15 through intensive monitoring. As of January 3, 84.78 percent of the total 300.25 million textbooks had been supplied.

The board reported that all pre-primary and primary books, totaling 85.93 million copies, were fully printed and distributed before Victory Day, ensuring delivery to students on January 1. However, printing and delivery for secondary and Ebtedayee levels remain incomplete, with 88.50 percent printed and 78.69 percent delivered. School heads from Dhaka and Keraniganj confirmed shortages, particularly for grades eight and nine.

Officials and publishers cited low tender rates as a key reason for delays, with some presses reluctant to print at reduced prices. NCTB’s distribution controller said more than half of grade eight books had reached schools and expressed confidence that all secondary books would be delivered by January 15.

Comilla University has expelled 12 students for one semester after finding them guilty of using unfair means during final examinations. The decision was finalized at the university’s 107th syndicate meeting on December 28, following recommendations from the disciplinary committee. In addition, one student’s internship report was canceled for proven forgery, and another was ordered to retake an entire course due to malpractice during an improvement exam.

The expelled students belong to various departments including Physics, English, ICT, Economics, Archaeology, and Mass Communication and Journalism. The university administration stated that it remains uncompromising about maintaining examination integrity and academic discipline. It emphasized that no leniency will be shown toward unethical acts such as cheating or forgery.

According to the administration, the expelled students will not be allowed to sit for exams with their current batch and must continue their studies with the next batch, reinforcing the university’s strict stance on academic misconduct.

Dhaka University has published the admission test results for its Business Studies Unit for the 2025–26 academic year. The results were officially announced on Sunday night after 10 p.m. through the university’s website, according to the university’s public relations office. Applicants can now check their results by logging into admission.eis.du.ac.bd or by sending an SMS following the instructions on their admit cards.

The results show a significantly lower pass rate compared to last year, with about 90 percent of candidates failing to achieve the minimum passing marks. Out of 34,062 applicants competing for 1,050 seats, only 10 percent passed, meaning roughly 32 candidates vied for each seat. The admission test was held on December 6 across the Dhaka University campus, various centers in the capital, and four divisional cities.

According to the seat distribution, 930 seats are allocated for Business Studies students, 95 for Science students, and 25 for Humanities students.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) is set to publish its seventh mass circular to recruit more than 67,000 teachers for non-government educational institutions. According to NTRCA sources, the age calculation for applicants will be based on June 4, 2025, the same date used in the previous sixth circular. No changes have been made to this age calculation method.

However, the upcoming circular introduces significant changes in the application process. Candidates will now be allowed to select a maximum of seven preferred institutions from the list of vacancies, a sharp reduction from the previous limit of 40 institutions. Additionally, an “Other Option” will be available in the e-application form, allowing applicants to indicate whether they are willing to accept appointments outside their chosen institutions.

Officials said the new system aims to make the recommendation process simpler and more efficient for both applicants and the authority.

The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has announced a new date for the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination form submission. According to a notice signed by Exam Controller Professor Haydar Uddin Kamal on Sunday, January 4, the new date for starting the form fill-up process has been set for March 11.

The notice stated that all heads of institutions under the Dhaka Board must complete the selection tests for HSC candidates and publish the results by March 10. The board also mentioned that a detailed schedule and full circular regarding the form fill-up process will be published later on the board’s official website.

The announcement aims to ensure that all institutions under the Dhaka Board complete necessary preparatory steps before the form submission begins, maintaining a structured timeline for the 2026 HSC examination process.

Eight flights scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were diverted on Sunday due to dense fog. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh confirmed the diversions, citing safety concerns for takeoff and landing operations. The affected flights were rerouted to alternative airports to ensure passenger and aircraft safety.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority’s public relations officer, Kawsar Mahmud, six of the diverted flights were sent to Sylhet Osmani International Airport, one to Kolkata Airport, and another to Hanoi Airport in Vietnam. The diversions were implemented as visibility at Dhaka airport dropped significantly, making normal operations unsafe.

The situation highlights the continuing challenges posed by seasonal fog in Bangladesh’s air transport sector, which often disrupts flight schedules during winter mornings.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has initiated the process to publish its seventh mass recruitment circular for private educational institutions. A demand letter seeking approval to fill 68,000 verified vacant posts has already been sent to the Ministry of Education. According to an NTRCA administration official, the ministry will review and approve the request before the circular is officially released.

NTRCA sources said that earlier, data on vacant positions were collected through Teletalk, which initially identified over 72,000 vacancies. After verification by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the Directorate of Madrasa Education, and the Directorate of Technical Education, 68,000 of those were confirmed as genuine vacancies. The authority has now sought ministry approval to proceed with recruitment for these posts.

Previously, on June 17, 2025, NTRCA issued its sixth mass circular to recruit 100,822 teachers, later recommending around 41,000 appointments. Officials expect that once ministry approval is granted, the seventh circular can be published promptly.

The admission test for the 2025–26 academic session of nine agriculture cluster universities in Bangladesh is being held today, Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination began at 2 p.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. A total of 88,228 students are participating in the test for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates are competing for each seat. The examination is taking place simultaneously at 20 sub-centers across the country.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) is coordinating all technical and administrative aspects of the examination. The universities under the agriculture cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University.

Among the total seats, Bangladesh Agricultural University has 1,006, Gazipur Agricultural University 510, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University 705, Patuakhali Science and Technology University 452, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 275, Sylhet Agricultural University 431, Khulna Agricultural University 150, Habiganj Agricultural University 90, and Kurigram Agricultural University 82.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has announced a special bus service to assist candidates appearing for the 2025–26 academic year undergraduate admission test under the agriculture cluster. The service will operate on January 3, with buses running before and after the exam along designated routes. The announcement was made on January 2 through a notice signed by Professor Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz, Director of Transport at BAU.

According to the notice, three bus trips will run from Digharkanda Bypass and Kewatkhali Bypass to the university campus at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. After the exam, buses will depart from the university helipad at 3:30 p.m. to return candidates to their destinations. The initiative aims to reduce travel difficulties and ensure timely arrival at exam centers.

Additionally, BAU has reintroduced the “BAU Exam Hall Finder” for the third time and set up a central help desk to provide seating information and other assistance. The ICT Cell will operate a help desk to support candidates facing admit card or technical issues.

The admission test for the science faculty’s A unit of Chittagong University’s 2025–26 academic session was held on Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Various student organizations, including Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU), Chhatra Dal, and Chhatra Shibir, provided assistance to examinees and their guardians. This year, 233,327 students are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 candidates per seat.

ChakSU set up six information centers, six guardian pavilions, and two medical booths across the campus to guide and support visitors. It also formed three patrol teams to prevent irregularities such as overcharging at food stalls and in transport, and published a hotline number for complaints. Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir each deployed around 200 volunteers to distribute water, pens, and snacks, and to offer basic medical help. Leaders from these groups said their goal was to ensure a smooth and supportive environment for all candidates.

According to ChakSU leaders, the presence of an active student union this year contributed to a better experience for examinees compared to previous years.

The Chittagong University undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year will begin on Friday, January 2, with the ‘A’ unit under the Faculty of Science. A total of 233,327 candidates are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 applicants per seat. The highest number of applicants, 87,794, have applied for the ‘A’ unit, which includes science, biology, engineering, and marine sciences faculties, while the lowest, 1,421, have applied for the ‘D-1’ sub-unit under the Faculty of Education.

The exams will be held in three divisional cities—Chittagong University, Dhaka University, and Rajshahi University. The ‘A’ unit test starts at 11:15 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Other units will follow on January 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each test carries 120 marks, including 100 for multiple-choice questions and 20 from SSC and HSC GPA scores. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer.

Security arrangements include 637 personnel, with traffic police, university security staff, and law enforcement agencies ensuring order. Six information booths and six parent waiting tents have been set up for assistance.

Nine public agricultural universities in Bangladesh will hold their unified undergraduate admission test for the 2025–26 academic year on Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination will take place simultaneously across the country from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. under the overall supervision of Gazipur Agricultural University, which is leading this year’s cluster. The seating plan was published on December 28 on the official cluster website, and all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth operations.

A total of 88,228 applicants have registered for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates will compete for each seat. Gazipur Agricultural University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman stated that the university has taken maximum preparations to conduct the exam in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner. Question preparation, transportation, center management, monitoring, and security arrangements have been finalized, with law enforcement and vigilance teams deployed to prevent irregularities.

The nine universities in the cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University.

On January 1, 2026, students in Tongi, Gazipur, received new textbooks marking the start of the academic year. Children from pre-primary to fifth grade were given their new books at Haji Kachimuddin Public School, Tilarghati M.A. Gani High School, and Upoma Memorial School. The students expressed joy and excitement upon receiving the books.

However, due to a three-day national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the usual book festival was not held this year. Teachers from several other schools, including Tongi Safiuddin Government Academy and Al Helal Academy, said that book distribution for their students would take place on Sunday.

According to M.A. Gani High School’s head teacher, Lutfor Rahman Liton, books for grades six to nine had not yet arrived but would be distributed once received.