In Mymensingh’s Ishwarganj upazila, allegations have surfaced over the distribution of substandard food under the much-anticipated school feeding program. The program, covering 140 primary schools across 11 unions and one municipality, serves 26,620 students from grades one to five. According to the official schedule, students were supposed to receive bread and milk on November 24, but only milk was distributed, and 40 schools received no food at all. On another day, instead of bread and boiled eggs, students were given a single banana, with inflated billing reported. Bread distributed on December 1 was reportedly of such poor quality that students refused to eat it, leading to frustration among teachers, parents, and locals. District Primary Education Officer Obaidullah confirmed finding evidence of low-quality food during an on-site inspection and said he had informed higher authorities. The discrepancies between the official food distribution list and actual field implementation have raised concerns about mismanagement and accountability in the program.

The National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, has expelled or suspended 16 individuals, including teachers, officials, and students, for their alleged involvement in obstructing the July–August student movement, attacking protesters, and creating instability on campus. The decision was made during the university’s 90th syndicate meeting on November 27 after reviewing the investigation and disciplinary committee reports. Two teachers and one official were temporarily suspended, while 13 students, including the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League unit, were permanently expelled, with some losing their academic certificates. The syndicate stated that the punishments were imposed for direct or indirect participation in actions that disrupted the movement. University authorities said the measures aim to maintain campus stability and ensure student safety, warning that no leniency will be shown toward future acts of violence or unrest.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has directed all government lower secondary, secondary, and school-college level institutions to submit attendance reports of teachers and officials involved in ongoing annual and selection examinations. According to an office order issued on Monday by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sifat Uddin, the attendance data must be sent to the division by 12 p.m. the same day. The directive emphasizes the importance of ensuring that annual, selection, and scholarship examinations are conducted on schedule. The ministry has labeled the request for attendance information as urgent, reflecting its intent to monitor examination management and ensure accountability among teachers and officials during the examination period.

Recent lecturer appointments at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have drawn allegations of nepotism, with claims that the institution’s long-standing merit-based tradition was violated. Reports suggest that in two departments, top-ranked candidates were overlooked in favor of relatives of current faculty members, including a professor’s wife and daughter. Alumni have expressed strong dissatisfaction, arguing that such decisions undermine the university’s reputation for fairness and meritocracy. BUET’s administration, however, has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all appointments followed proper procedures and were made in the university’s best interest. Critics fear this could set a precedent for favoritism and erode trust in the recruitment process. The controversy has sparked heated debate among BUET graduates and on social media, with many calling for greater transparency in academic hiring practices. Other departments reportedly followed standard rules without irregularities.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued a directive mandating that all government and non-government secondary schools conduct their annual, selection, and junior scholarship examinations within the scheduled dates. According to the circular signed by Professor Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, the annual exams will run from November 20 to December 7, while the selection exams will take place from November 27 to December 11. Additionally, the junior scholarship exams are set to be held nationwide from December 28 to 31 across all lower secondary, secondary, and school-and-college institutions. The DSHE emphasized that any deviation, negligence, or irregularity by teachers or officials in conducting these examinations will result in disciplinary action. The directive aims to ensure uniformity, discipline, and transparency in the examination process throughout the country.

Hundreds of higher secondary students from Dhaka College blocked the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka on Monday morning, protesting the proposed schooling model under the planned Dhaka Central University. The government recently decided to merge seven prominent government colleges into a new public university to reduce administrative complexity and ease pressure on Dhaka University. However, students argue that the move threatens the long-standing identity, tradition, and autonomy of their institutions. They claim the decision was made without consulting students or stakeholders and fear that the new structure could worsen teacher shortages and infrastructure issues. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already drafted an ordinance outlining the new university’s interdisciplinary structure, which would include higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The protesting students demand that the new system be based on affiliated institutions rather than a centralized schooling model.

Prominent Bangladeshi agriculturist and Group QA chairman Kazi A.F.M. Joynul Abedin passed away on Sunday, November 30, at 3:30 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He died of age-related complications. Abedin was widely respected for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to both the agricultural sector and business development in Bangladesh. The Group QA family expressed deep sorrow at his passing, describing him as a mentor and guardian whose guidance shaped the organization’s growth. His death marks an irreparable loss for his family, colleagues, and the wider agricultural community. Prayers have been offered for the forgiveness of his shortcomings and for eternal peace in the afterlife, as well as for strength and patience for his bereaved family during this difficult time.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) in Bangladesh has issued a stern warning to government primary school teachers who are currently on a continuous work stoppage demanding fulfillment of three key demands. Despite the strike, the DPE has directed all concerned officials to ensure that the third term or annual examinations, scheduled to begin on December 1, proceed smoothly and on time. A circular signed by Director (Policy and Operation) A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan was sent to all divisional deputy directors and district primary education officers. The directive emphasized that any negligence, irregularity, or disruption in conducting the exams will result in disciplinary action as per regulations. The teachers, however, have announced their decision to boycott the examinations as part of their ongoing protest, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the academic calendar.

The Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association has declared a full-day work stoppage starting Monday, December 1, after the government failed to meet their four-point demand. The teachers announced they will boycott ongoing annual and SSC preparatory exams and suspend answer script evaluation, raising concerns about disruption in secondary education. Their demands include incorporating assistant teachers into the BCS (General Education) cadre, filling vacant posts and ensuring promotions, implementing Supreme Court rulings on pending time scale and selection grade benefits, and restoring pre-2015 salary increments for assistant teachers. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, no resolution was reached after a two-day sit-in at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. Teacher leaders warned that if their demands are met, they will conduct remaining exams on weekends and publish results within December; otherwise, they will decide on further actions next Wednesday.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has announced that the digital lottery for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private schools will be held on December 11. Online applications began on November 21 and will remain open until 5 p.m. on December 5. A total of 4,048 schools—688 government and 3,360 private—are participating in the 2026 academic year admission process. There are 1,193,281 available seats, including 121,030 in government schools and 1,072,251 in private institutions. As of November 25, 260,244 students applied for government school seats, while 98,762 applied for private school seats. The lottery will determine which applicants are eligible for admission, ensuring a transparent and technology-driven selection process.

Bangladesh is intensifying efforts to build a fully cashless economy by July 2027 through digital payment expansion and cost reduction. According to Md. Omar Faruk Khan, initiatives include upgrading digital platforms such as Selfin, iBanking, and MCash, which now support interoperable transactions across mobile financial services without cash-out. Partnerships with Mastercard have enabled several educational institutions to become fully cashless campuses using Bangla QR. Inspired by models from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is adapting foreign experiences to local realities, focusing on interoperability and low-cost peer-to-peer transfers. The central bank has capped transaction fees, allowing providers to reduce or waive charges. To ensure reliability, the bank has launched Selfin Echo, the country’s first generative AI-powered voice assistant for banking services. Despite progress, challenges remain in network reliability, cybersecurity, and system scalability during peak transaction periods. The overall goal is to make digital transactions easier, faster, and more affordable for all citizens.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in Bangladesh has announced plans to provide special allowances to teachers and education officers working in remote areas such as haor, char, and hilly regions. Adviser Dr. Professor Bidhan Ranjan Poddar stated that the initiative aims to improve the quality of primary education across the country. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Bhola on November 29, he also confirmed that new textbooks will be distributed to students at the beginning of the academic year. Additionally, schools designated as polling centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will undergo necessary renovations. Addressing the ongoing movement for the 11th grade pay scale by assistant teachers, Dr. Poddar assured that their demands will be implemented soon. The meeting was chaired by Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Ahmed and attended by senior officials from the Directorate of Primary Education and the ministry.

A 60-year-old devotee named Ashraf Ali died early Saturday morning after suffering a stroke at the five-day Jor Ijtema being held on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur. He was a resident of Kendua village in Jamalpur Sadar and the son of Abdul Hakim. According to Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh Shura Nezam, Ashraf Ali was staying with his group in their designated area when he was found unresponsive at dawn. Fellow devotees took him to Tongi Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. This marks the third death reported during the ongoing Jor Ijtema, which is scheduled to conclude with the Akheri Munajat (final prayer) on December 2.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized that today’s students represent the future leadership of Bangladesh during the first convocation of North Pacific International University of Bangladesh (NPIUB) held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Representing the President, she praised the university’s efforts to make higher education accessible to rural youth at low cost and highlighted Manikganj’s intellectual heritage, mentioning figures like language martyr Rafique and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Akhter noted that many rural women rear livestock to fund their children’s education, underscoring the importance of higher education. She also appreciated the university’s evening courses for working professionals and urged recognition of rural talent. The ceremony awarded degrees to 467 graduates and honored outstanding students with various awards, including Chancellor’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards. Distinguished guests such as Dr. Valerie Ann Taylor and Professor Dr. Mohammad Kaykobad also addressed the event.

The University of Dhaka has officially begun its 2025–26 undergraduate admission process with the Business Administration Institute (IBA) entry test held on Friday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. According to the university’s admission website, the Fine Arts Unit test will be held on November 29, the Business Studies Unit on December 6, the Arts, Law, and Social Science Unit on December 13, and the Science Unit on December 20. The application process started on October 29 and closed on November 19 at 11:59 p.m. This year, a total of 6,125 seats are available across five units. The IBA unit alone has 120 seats, for which more than 11,000 candidates have applied, indicating intense competition. Admission test admit cards have already been issued to eligible applicants.