Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced a 180-day priority program for the education sector, aligned with the BNP’s 13th National Election manifesto. The initiative, unveiled at a ministry meeting following the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, includes distributing free school uniforms and shoes to more than 200,000 students across all upazilas within 180 days. The plan also outlines providing tablets to all teachers within a year and implementing several modernization measures.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from secondary, technical, madrasa, and primary education departments, discussed the 2026–2027 fiscal plan and a five-year education development strategy. The minister emphasized rapid implementation of election pledges, focusing on inclusive and modern education through programs such as “One Teacher, One Tab,” “One Child, One Tree,” compulsory third-language learning, and technical education for all.

The program also includes free education for children of movement martyrs and injured student fighters, teacher training acceleration, and the introduction of math olympiads and debate clubs in all institutions.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh has decided to keep government primary schools open on ten consecutive Saturdays following the Ramadan holidays to make up for learning losses. The directive was issued through a circular signed by Md. Zainal Abedin, Deputy Director of Pre-primary and Integrated Education at the Directorate of Primary Education. The circular instructs all district primary education officers to take necessary steps to implement the decision.

According to the ministry, the extended closure during Ramadan created a potential learning gap among students. To address this, the ministry ordered that regular classes be conducted on ten Saturdays after schools reopen. The government had earlier declared holidays for all primary and secondary institutions from February 19 to March 26, 2026, in observance of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day.

After the weekly holidays on March 27 and 28, schools are scheduled to reopen on March 29, when the Saturday classes will begin to recover lost instructional time.

After the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, thousands of people from the southwestern region began returning to Dhaka, creating heavy pressure at the Daulatdia ferry terminal in Rajbari. By Monday evening, large crowds had formed, particularly among motorcyclists waiting in long lines at ticket counters. Many travelers faced hours of delay to cross the river.

To manage the surge, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) deployed 17 ferries on the Daulatdia-Paturia route, while the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) ensured the operation of 16 launches. Law enforcement agencies increased their presence at the terminal to maintain order and prevent any untoward incidents. Administrative authorities also heightened monitoring to ensure passenger safety.

According to BIWTC officials, ferry operations remain normal, and all efforts are being made to ensure smooth travel. Authorities expect the post-holiday rush to continue for several more days, relying on coordinated measures to keep the situation under control.

Workers have started returning to Dhaka after the Eid holidays, with a noticeable increase in passenger flow since the third day of Eid. From early Monday morning, launches arriving from southern regions began crowding the Sadarghat terminal. Many passengers said they chose to travel a day earlier to avoid congestion on the return journey.

Similar scenes were observed at Kamalapur railway station and Mohakhali bus terminal, where travelers returning from their hometowns gathered in large numbers. Passengers reported that this year’s Eid travel was relatively comfortable. Long-distance buses from various parts of the country began arriving at Gabtoli and Sayedabad terminals from early morning, with the highest passenger pressure coming from northern and southern regions.

Railway officials stated that the post-Eid return to the capital is progressing gradually and that the passenger rush may continue for several more days. Authorities have taken necessary measures to ensure safe and smooth travel for all passengers.

During this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, the usually busy Paturia-Daulatdia ferry route in Manikganj has seen an unusually calm situation. Unlike previous years when heavy passenger and vehicle congestion was common, the terminals remained largely empty on Friday afternoon, with several ferries waiting idle due to a lack of passengers and vehicles.

Officials and local sources attributed the reduced pressure to improvements in road connectivity, particularly after the opening of the Padma Bridge, which has diverted much of the traffic away from the river route. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) reported that 17 ferries are operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, along with 33 launches ensuring smooth passenger crossings.

Passengers expressed satisfaction with the ease of travel, noting the absence of long waits or congestion. Authorities described the situation as normal and comfortable, with ferry services running efficiently and without disruption.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) announced that metro rail services in the capital will remain suspended on Saturday, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was confirmed through an official press release issued by the company on March 20, 2026.

According to the announcement, the suspension applies only to the day of Eid. From the following day, metro rail operations will resume as per the regular schedule. The notice clarified that this temporary halt is in observance of the religious holiday and that normal service will continue immediately afterward.

The DMTCL statement provides clarity for commuters planning travel during the Eid period, ensuring they can adjust their schedules accordingly.

Traffic movement on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway slowed over a 30-kilometer stretch near the Jamuna Bridge on Thursday morning due to heavy Eid-ul-Fitr traffic and multiple vehicle breakdowns. The congestion extended from the Jamuna Bridge to the Korotia area, with police and army personnel working continuously to maintain flow. In the past 24 hours, 51,584 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge, generating tolls of Tk 3.51 crore.

According to bridge authorities, around 13 vehicles broke down or stalled on the bridge between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, causing long queues of vehicles. The increased traffic volume further worsened the situation. Passengers, including women and children, faced severe delays, with some resorting to open trucks and pickups to reach their destinations. Journeys that usually take three hours were taking six to eight hours.

Officials said that removing broken-down vehicles took time, leading to extended traffic lines. Authorities continued efforts to restore normal movement along the highway.

The National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh will hold a meeting this evening to review moon sighting information for the holy month of Shawwal and determine the date of Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims. According to an Islamic Foundation press release issued on Wednesday, the meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the conference room of the Islamic Foundation located at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.

The statement added that the meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. The Islamic Foundation has requested that if the Shawwal moon is sighted anywhere in the country, people should inform the committee through the provided phone numbers or contact the respective district commissioner or upazila executive officer.

The committee’s decision will confirm the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, based on verified moon sighting reports.

An emergency discussion meeting organized by Dawatus Sunnah Bangladesh was held on March 19, 2026, at the Azimpur Chapra Jame Mosque auditorium in Old Dhaka. The event aimed to caution Muslims against observing fasting and Eid based on astronomical or Hijri calendar calculations instead of actual moon sighting. The meeting was presided over by Mufti Zubair bin Abdul Quddus, director of Dawatus Sunnah Bangladesh and khatib of the mosque, with participation from several Islamic scholars including Maulana Shafiqul Islam.

In his main address, Mufti Zubair argued that following an astronomy-based Hijri calendar contradicts Quranic and Hadith principles, which require physical moon sighting to determine the start and end of Ramadan. He cited five reasons for rejecting astronomical calculations, including inconsistencies between scientific predictions and actual moon sightings in different countries. He also stated that following moon reports from distant regions such as Saudi Arabia is not religiously valid.

Speakers at the event urged Muslims to rely solely on local moon sightings for religious observances and warned against those promoting astronomy-based methods, calling them misleading. The meeting concluded with prayers for national welfare.

Passenger and vehicle traffic has surged on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat ferry routes as people travel home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Launch terminals have also seen large crowds, but authorities report that crossings are taking place without the usual suffering seen in previous years.

The routes, serving as key gateways for 21 southwestern districts, are operating normally and smoothly. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), district administration, and police are jointly ensuring uninterrupted service. According to BIWTC Deputy General Manager Abdus Salam, 17 ferries are operating on the Paturia-Daulatdia route and 5 on the Aricha-Kazirhat route, while 33 launches are facilitating passenger movement.

Officials said continuous monitoring has been strengthened to ensure safe and comfortable travel. Despite the increased rush, passengers are reportedly crossing the river with ease and satisfaction.

Former vice-chancellor of the University of Chittagong, Professor Md. Anwarul Azim Arif, passed away early Thursday morning at a private hospital in Chattogram city while undergoing treatment. He was 75 years old. Professor Arif had also served as vice-chancellor of Premier University and International Islamic University Chittagong.

He began his academic career in 1976 as a lecturer at the University of Chittagong, later becoming pro-vice-chancellor in 2001 and serving as vice-chancellor from 2011 to 2015. Following his tenure there, he led Premier University and International Islamic University Chittagong. In 2021, he was elected chairman of the executive committee of the Islamic Banks Consultative Forum (IBCF).

The newly appointed vice-chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan, along with pro-vice-chancellors Professor Dr. Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan and Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, expressed their condolences on his death.

The Bangladesh Army has been deployed to manage traffic congestion on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, particularly in the Cumilla section. As of March 19, 2026, the usually congested areas such as Daudkandi, Chandina, Nimsar Bazar, Cantonment, Alekhar Char, Kotbari, and Paduar Bazar were reported to be free of jams. Long-distance buses, private cars, and freight vehicles were moving smoothly, allowing passengers to reach their destinations on time.

Law enforcement agencies, along with army personnel and Rover Scouts, are jointly maintaining order on the roads and preventing theft and robbery. Field reports indicate that traffic conditions have significantly improved compared to previous days. A bank officer traveling from Dhaka to Cumilla described the journey as smooth and faster than usual, while local traffic volunteers noted a slight increase in pressure during midday hours.

Highway police officials stated that over nine hundred officers are stationed from Daudkandi to Tekna to ensure safe Eid travel. They confirmed that no major traffic jams have occurred so far and that police remain on duty around the clock.

Heavy traffic congestion has been reported on the Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail highways in Gazipur on Thursday morning, as vehicles moved intermittently amid the Eid travel rush. Long queues stretched for several kilometers, particularly around the Chandra intersection, leaving passengers stranded for hours. Transport operators cited excessive vehicle pressure, random parking, and wrong-way driving by autorickshaws as major causes. Passengers also alleged that transport companies were charging extra fares.

Overnight rain worsened the situation by creating muddy conditions and waterlogging in several parts of the highways. Crowded roadsides, disorganized parking, and people boarding vehicles on the road further narrowed the lanes, slowing traffic. Areas including Kabirpur, Chandra, Kaliakoir, Board Bazar, Bhogra Bypass, and Chandna Chowrasta experienced severe slowdowns.

Police officials said the congestion intensified after garment factories closed on Wednesday afternoon, prompting large numbers of workers and residents to leave Gazipur. Additional police, volunteers, and other agencies were deployed to ease the situation, but traffic remained slow due to high passenger volume and poor road conditions.

Thousands of Eid travelers faced severe traffic congestion and rain on the Dhaka-Tangail highway beginning Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2026. The gridlock stretched about 20 kilometers from Konabari in Gazipur to Chandra in Kaliakoir by Thursday morning. Many passengers, unable to find transport due to the rain and vehicle shortages, returned home Wednesday night and resumed their journeys Thursday. Some buses to northern regions took all night to reach destinations, delaying their return and worsening the transport shortage.

Gazipur transport officials said the congestion was partly caused by buses stopping in Chandra to pick up passengers, blocking lanes. The industrial police reported that 833 garment factories were beginning their fourth phase of Eid holidays, which was expected to ease traffic later in the day. Law enforcement agencies were deployed to manage the situation. Meanwhile, the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway cleared overnight after earlier rain-related congestion.

Authorities fined several transport operators for overcharging passengers during the disruption, helping restore normalcy by Thursday morning.

More than a hundred unfit passenger buses are being repaired in Cumilla workshops to operate on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway ahead of Eid, aiming to handle the expected surge of travelers. Many of these vehicles, long out of service or mechanically faulty, are being refurbished and repainted to appear roadworthy. Workers are reportedly working day and night to complete repairs by the 26th of Ramadan so that the buses can start operating before the holiday.

Authorities, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and the Cumilla Motor Association, have warned that operating unfit or unregistered buses is illegal and will face strict legal action. Highway police officials have also announced special drives to prevent such vehicles from entering the highway network. Despite these warnings, some transport owners continue to prepare old buses to meet high passenger demand.

Passengers have expressed concern that many of these buses are only cosmetically repaired, leaving critical components like engines and brakes unsafe. Officials emphasized that preventing unfit vehicles from operating is essential to avoid accidents and traffic congestion during the Eid travel period.