The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has urged all Hajj pilgrims to refrain from carrying prohibited items during their pilgrimage. The ministry’s Hajj Wing issued a notice warning pilgrims not to be influenced by Hajj agencies or others to transport banned goods. According to Saudi law, items such as narcotic drugs, tobacco leaves, jarda, gul, betel leaves, dried fish, cooked food, and perishable goods are strictly forbidden in pilgrims’ luggage. These restrictions are also outlined in the 2026 Hajj package and guidelines issued by the ministry.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) stated that in previous years, banned items were found in the luggage of Bangladeshi pilgrims at Saudi airports despite repeated warnings. He said such incidents damage the country’s image and called for greater caution among pilgrims. Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad NDC added that anyone found with prohibited items in Saudi Arabia faces legal punishment under local laws, which could jeopardize their ability to perform Hajj.

This year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims are scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia starting from April 18.

Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education, Labour and Employment, Mahdi Amin, held a bilateral meeting with Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Zambry Abdul Kadir, in Putrajaya. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation in higher education, research, skills development, and workforce mobility, with particular emphasis on expanding scholarship opportunities and improving the integration of Bangladeshi students in Malaysian society. Bangladesh’s Ministers for Expatriates’ Welfare and Labour were also present at the meeting.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing bilateral relations in education and skills development. Malaysia recognized the mandate of Bangladesh’s newly elected government led by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman and expressed readiness to deepen institutional engagement under new policies. Mahdi Amin highlighted the importance of expanding international education opportunities to strengthen Bangladesh’s global human resource competitiveness and called for a structured scholarship system ensuring academic excellence, welfare, and social inclusion for Bangladeshi students in Malaysia.

The meeting concluded with mutual understanding to reinforce scholarship frameworks, improve student support systems, and deepen long-term educational and social ties between the two countries, contributing to a sustainable knowledge-based partnership.

The cluster-based 'A' unit admission test for the 2025–2026 academic year began today, Friday, at Islamic University (IU). The one-hour examination is being held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. across nine academic buildings on the campus. A total of 11,186 candidates are seated at the IU center under the science faculty’s 'A' unit. This test marks the conclusion of the cluster university admission process for the year.

To assist candidates and guardians, various student organizations have set up help desks at the university’s main gate. The university administration has strengthened a four-tier security system involving Ansar, RAB, BNCC-Rover Scouts, and police to ensure smooth conduct of the exam. IU Proctor Professor Dr. Shahinuzzaman stated that all necessary security measures have been implemented and expressed hope for an orderly examination environment.

According to the university, a total of 284,480 students applied for the cluster admission tests this year, including 166,240 for 'A' unit, 93,158 for 'B' unit, and 25,282 for 'C' unit. The 'C' and 'B' unit exams were held earlier with attendance rates of 88.53% and 86.45%, respectively.

Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed has directed the initiation of a national-level integrated survey to determine the actual manpower demand across various sectors. He issued the directive on Thursday during a meeting at the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project office in the Copyright Building, Dhaka. The chairman emphasized that higher education should prepare students for the job market, but a lack of reliable data on sectoral skill needs and graduate output has created a gap between universities and industries.

Dr. Ahmed stated that the revised HEAT project proposal should include the manpower demand survey to bridge this gap, while also stressing transparency and efficiency in project expenditures. He advised against purchasing duplicate scientific equipment without verification and suggested a separate study to prevent waste in research spending. The chairman also called for the establishment of a modern university teacher training academy under the HEAT project and urged stronger academic engagement between teachers and students.

Officials present at the meeting noted that the proposed survey could help identify skill mismatches between higher education and the job market, aiding future policy formulation.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that schools and colleges in metropolitan areas will begin a combined online and offline class system, reducing holidays by one day. The initiative, set to start on Saturday, was revealed during an event at Dhonia College in Dhaka organized by the National University, the ICT Division, and UNICEF. The plan aims to promote digital education while addressing the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by conflicts in the Middle East.

Under the new schedule, students will attend classes in person on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, and join online sessions on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The policy will initially apply to institutions with large student populations in metropolitan areas and will not be mandatory for all schools. The minister emphasized that no decision should disrupt the education system.

Teachers have requested uninterrupted electricity during online classes and additional offline support for students facing technical issues. The government also announced duty-free school buses for institutions providing transport facilities to students.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has urged students not to fear the upcoming SSC examinations, assuring that the process will be properly monitored. Speaking on Thursday morning at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, he said the ministry is working to prevent question paper leaks and will introduce laws to curb digital cheating. He also noted that future HSC exams will be held under a unified question system across all boards.

The minister made these remarks while inaugurating a three-day workshop jointly organized by the National University, the ICT Division, and UNICEF. The workshop aims to integrate technical courses into the National University curriculum to prepare college students as skilled human resources for future challenges. The National University currently oversees 2,284 affiliated colleges with over four million students, most from middle- and lower-middle-income families.

Officials said the curriculum reform follows BNQF guidelines and includes advanced ICT and skill-based courses. The initiative, supported by the ICT Division’s a2i program and UNICEF Bangladesh, seeks to make higher education more employment-oriented and globally competitive.

The government has announced that a hybrid online-offline class system will begin on Saturday, April 11, in selected educational institutions in Dhaka. Under the new schedule, classes will be held in person on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays, while Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays will be conducted online. The initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and save fuel in the capital. Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan made the announcement at a press conference at the International Mother Language Institute on Thursday, April 9, attended by the education secretary and heads of several schools.

The minister said the decision followed discussions with all stakeholders and was based on their feedback. Teachers will conduct online classes from school premises, while students will attend three days in person and three days from home. Participation is voluntary and not mandatory for all schools nationwide. The program is primarily intended for metropolitan schools facing severe traffic issues.

According to the minister, the initiative is part of a broader plan to gradually move the education system toward digital learning, with adjustments to be made if any problems arise during implementation.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon stated that teachers must conduct online classes from their schools rather than from home. He emphasized that teachers should use smart classrooms for online teaching and can seek help from colleagues if needed. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday at a seminar held at the International Mother Language Institute on maintaining education during the global energy crisis and conserving electricity.

The seminar, attended by around 400 parents, was organized to gather opinions on online classes. The minister said that considering the global energy crisis, severe traffic congestion, and the shift toward technology-based education, the government is planning to introduce a hybrid model combining online and offline classes in selected institutions. Schools such as Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, RAJUK Uttara Model College, and Residential Model School and College may be included in the pilot phase.

According to the minister, the proposed model would reduce traffic congestion and energy use while keeping students engaged in regular coursework. He added that future education will be technology-driven and largely paperless.

A meritorious student from Mahishakhola village in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali upazila, Omar Osman Raju, received financial assistance from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami after struggling to afford university admission fees. Despite passing the Jahangirnagar University entrance exam for the 2025–26 academic year, Omar had been working as a laborer harvesting onions due to his family’s financial hardship.

Omar lost his father to kidney disease at a young age, and his mother has since supported the family by working in others’ homes. He completed his SSC in 2023 with GPA 5 and HSC in 2025 with GPA 4.92, preparing for admission tests with help from a local coaching teacher. The Mohammadpur East Thana branch of Jamaat-e-Islami provided him with cash assistance under the supervision of Jahangirnagar University Students’ Union General Secretary Majharul Islam.

The initiative, attended by local Jamaat leaders and student representatives, has drawn local appreciation for supporting talented but financially challenged students like Omar.

The United Kingdom’s Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Right Honourable Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE, has proposed simplifying Bangladesh’s higher education policies to strengthen joint initiatives and international cooperation. She made the proposal during a meeting with the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman in Dhaka, attended by representatives from the British High Commission and the British Council. The envoy emphasized revising the cross-border higher education guidelines to facilitate partnership agreements between universities of both countries.

British representatives noted that many UK universities operate joint programs globally and that similar ventures in Bangladesh could maintain educational standards through joint or dual degrees, study centers, or branch campuses. However, they cited procedural delays and complex guidelines as barriers to expansion. The delegation also expressed willingness to provide technical assistance for policy reforms.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed welcomed international collaboration but stressed the need for strong oversight to ensure quality parity and affordability. Both sides agreed to develop a joint action plan between UGC and the British Council to advance cross-border and transnational education, incorporating stakeholder feedback.

Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, has called for ensuring transparency in evaluating the second-phase research proposals under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. He made the directive during a discussion meeting with project officials and World Bank representatives on the project’s implementation progress and work plan.

The meeting was attended by UGC member Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Task Team Leader T. M. Asaduzzaman, and HEAT Project Director Professor Dr. Asaduzzaman, among others. The UGC chairman emphasized that the evaluation of the Academic Transformation Fund (ATF) sub-projects must be completed carefully and within the scheduled timeframe, ensuring fairness and avoiding any confusion or controversy. The World Bank representative noted that the first-phase evaluations were conducted transparently and that the experience is being applied to other projects.

The UGC chairman also announced plans to hold a coordination meeting with the education, finance, and planning ministries to expedite implementation. The HEAT project is expected to be completed by 2028, with the current evaluation phase scheduled to conclude by June.

Three students of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) have been expelled for varying periods for using unfair means during term examinations. The decision was announced in a notice signed by the university registrar on April 8, 2026, following the 39th meeting of the university’s disciplinary board held on March 3. Two students from the Social Work Department (academic year 2024–25) were expelled for one year, while one student from the CSTE Department (academic year 2021–22) was expelled for six months.

According to the notice, the students were found with incriminating papers and mobile phones during exams and were caught copying from them. Their respective exam papers were canceled, and they were removed from the examination hall. The disciplinary board also instructed that before resuming academic activities, the expelled students must complete psychological counseling sessions conducted by the university psychologist—three sessions for two students and two sessions for one student—and submit certificates of completion.

The notice further stated that all previous semester exams of the expelled students would remain valid, but their results would not be published during the suspension period.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan announced plans to introduce a pilot hybrid learning model combining online and offline classes in selected schools in Dhaka. The initiative aims to address the global energy crisis, severe traffic congestion, and the growing need for technology-based education. He made the announcement on Wednesday at a seminar organized by the Ministry of Education at the International Mother Language Institute.

The minister explained that the program would not be implemented in all schools simultaneously but only in those with the necessary capacity. The proposed model would include a mix of online and in-person classes throughout the week to reduce student attendance pressure, traffic congestion, and energy consumption while maintaining regular academic activities. He emphasized teacher training, monitoring, and student engagement as key factors for success.

The ministry will hold a press briefing at the International Mother Language Institute to share further details about the hybrid class plan. The government intends to gradually adopt technology-driven education to prepare students for future global competition.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon informed the National Parliament that there are 60,295 vacant teacher positions across MPO-listed schools and colleges in Bangladesh. He provided the data in response to a parliamentary question on Wednesday. The minister detailed that government colleges have 656 vacant lecturer posts under the BCS (General Education) cadre and 2,410 non-cadre lecturer vacancies in newly nationalized colleges. Additionally, 1,349 principal and vice-principal posts remain vacant in MPO-listed colleges, while recruitment for 1,344 teaching positions is ongoing.

The minister said the government has taken steps to fill these vacancies quickly through transparent and merit-based recruitment via the NTRCA and BCS examinations. Applications have already been received to fill 11,151 head and assistant head teacher posts in MPO-listed institutions. He added that the process of nationalizing private colleges follows the Prime Minister’s directives and depends on financial capacity, policy, and the national budget.

Milon also stated that the government aims to gradually bring all qualified educational institutions under MPO coverage, ensuring equitable development and quality improvement in the education sector.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon informed the National Parliament that 2,847 villages across Bangladesh currently have no primary schools. He provided the information in a written reply during the first session of Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in response to a question from Feni-2 Member of Parliament Joynal Abedin.

According to the minister, the distribution of villages without primary schools includes 717 in Dhaka Division, 818 in Chattogram, 355 in Rajshahi, 37 in Rangpur, 349 in Khulna, 45 in Barishal, 260 in Sylhet, and 266 in Mymensingh. He stated that not every village in the country currently has a primary school.

The minister added that if proposals are received in the future to establish schools in villages without one, the government will consider the necessity and relevant conditions before taking appropriate action.