Millions of people have begun leaving Dhaka ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, but concerns are mounting over potential traffic congestion at 30 to 35 points on major highways. The Police Headquarters, based on intelligence reports, has instructed highway and related police units to take measures to reduce passenger suffering. With government and private offices beginning holidays on Tuesday, pressure at major bus terminals such as Gabtoli, Sayedabad, and Mohakhali is expected to intensify.

The report highlights several critical routes facing problems, including the Dhaka-Aricha, Dhaka-Barishal, Dhaka-Khulna, and Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highways. Causes include incomplete road repairs, narrow bridges, illegal roadside markets, and poor traffic management. Specific trouble spots such as Dholeshwari Bridge, Noyadingi, Tekherhat, Kamarkhali toll plaza, and Gachbaria have been identified as high-risk areas for congestion.

Authorities have been advised to deploy additional traffic police at key intersections, complete or suspend ongoing repairs, remove illegal markets, and modernize toll collection systems to prevent severe travel disruptions during the Eid rush.

Dr. Tasnim Jara stated on Monday afternoon through a Facebook post that she is alive and well after her LinkedIn account was mistakenly marked as 'memorialized' earlier in the day. The incident led to widespread comments and confusion across social media platforms.

In her post, Jara explained that the issue may have resulted from either an error or a malicious report against her account. She confirmed that she has already contacted LinkedIn to resolve the matter and expressed hope that the problem will be fixed soon.

The situation drew attention online as users reacted to the unexpected memorialization of her professional profile, prompting Jara to publicly clarify her status and reassure followers of her wellbeing.

Rakib Hasan, a student of the 2017–18 session in the Law Discipline at Khulna University, was posthumously recognized as a lawyer after the Bangladesh Bar Council published its viva examination results on Sunday, March 15. His name appeared among the successful candidates, though he had passed away months earlier after battling blood cancer.

Rakib had been undergoing treatment at Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital in Dhaka, where he died on November 22 at around 11:30 p.m. Earlier, on October 25 of the previous year, he had shared on social media that he passed the written portion of the Bar Council examination while still hospitalized. He later took part in the viva exam, hoping to fulfill his dream of becoming a lawyer.

Although Rakib lost his life before seeing the final results, his name on the successful candidates’ list stands as a posthumous recognition of his perseverance and dedication to his goal.

Professor Dr. Md. Roich Uddin, from the Department of Islamic Studies at Jagannath University, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of the university. The announcement was made on Monday, March 16, 2026, at a press conference held at the Ministry of Education, where Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon officially declared his appointment.

Dr. Roich Uddin has long been associated with Jagannath University’s academic, research, and administrative activities. He previously served as the general secretary and is currently the president of the university’s teachers’ association. He also leads the pro-BNP teachers’ organization, JnU Sadadal. His research and writings in Islamic Studies have earned recognition among teachers and students, and he has participated in several national and international seminars and conferences.

He replaces Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, who was appointed by the interim government on September 18, 2024, and was removed before completing his term. The new appointment marks a leadership change at the university’s top administrative level.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan from the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has been appointed as the 21st Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chittagong. The announcement was made by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon. Dr. Al-Forkan will replace outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yahya Akhtar. He currently serves as the Senior Vice-President of the university’s Nationalist Teachers’ Forum.

Dr. Al-Forkan stated that he learned about the appointment through media reports and has not yet received an official notification. He is the founding chairman of the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and began his teaching career in 1993 as a lecturer, becoming a professor in 2006. He earned his PhD from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and completed postdoctoral research in Canada and the United States.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Al-Forkan is involved in local BNP politics in Hathazari, Chittagong, and previously served as the convener of the election management committee for the BNP candidate in Chittagong-5 during the 13th national parliamentary election.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that a graduate degree will be the minimum qualification for appointment as president or chairman of managing committees and governing bodies of educational institutions. The decision, revealed at a press briefing at the Ministry of Education on March 16, 2026, applies to all schools, colleges, and madrasas across the country.

The minister explained that the new rule aims to ensure qualified and competent individuals lead educational institutions. He noted that previous regulations under earlier governments required candidates to be senior teachers or headmasters, which limited opportunities and led to allegations of favoritism and nepotism. The new policy seeks to create a fairer and more transparent system by emphasizing merit and capability.

According to the minister, the government intends to move away from restrictive practices and build an inclusive framework that promotes fairness and efficiency in educational governance.

The government has appointed new vice-chancellors at seven universities across Bangladesh. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced the appointments on Monday, March 16, 2026, during a press conference at the Ministry of Education. Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, previously the vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, has been named the new vice-chancellor of Dhaka University.

Professor Siddiqur Rahman Khan has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University. Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, currently the pro-vice-chancellor of the National University, has been appointed as the vice-chancellor of Dhaka Central University. Professor Dr. Md. Masud will serve as the vice-chancellor of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), while Professor Dr. Forkan will lead the University of Chittagong. Professor Dr. Md. Faridul Islam has been named vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University, and Professor Rais Uddin will take charge as vice-chancellor of Jagannath University.

Additionally, Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed has been appointed as the new chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Professor Dr. Md. Faridul Islam has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University. The announcement was made by Education Minister Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Haque Milan during a briefing at the Ministry of Education on Monday, March 16, 2026, after 4 p.m. Dr. Faridul Islam currently serves as the General Secretary of the university’s Zia Parishad and is a faculty member in the Department of Marketing.

The appointment marks a new leadership phase for Rajshahi University, one of Bangladesh’s major public universities. The announcement was part of a series of recent vice-chancellor appointments across several universities, including Jagannath University, Dhaka University, and Chittagong University, as mentioned in the same report.

The Education Ministry’s decision reflects ongoing administrative updates within higher education institutions, focusing on leadership renewal and academic governance.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced a major reshuffle in Bangladesh’s higher education leadership on Monday, signaling significant changes across several universities. He said that the chairperson of the University Grants Commission and multiple vice-chancellors are being replaced. Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, previously vice-chancellor of the Open University, has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, while Professor Dr. Md. Mamun Ahmed will serve as Dhaka University’s pro-vice-chancellor.

Professor Siddiqur Rahman Khan has been finalized as the new vice-chancellor of the Open University. Professor Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, currently pro-vice-chancellor of the National University, will become vice-chancellor of Central University. Professor Dr. Masud has been selected as vice-chancellor of KUET, Professor Dr. Md. Foridul Islam for Rajshahi University, and Professor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan for Chittagong University.

The minister said the reshuffle aims to make the country’s higher education system more effective and dynamic, with an official notification to be issued soon.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that the school admission lottery system has been permanently abolished. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Education on Monday afternoon, he confirmed that from next year, school admissions will be based on simple entrance tests instead of lotteries. The minister emphasized that the new system will not create intense competition and that lotteries have no place in any education system.

He explained that the decision followed extensive research and consultations with stakeholders, which will continue in the future. Milon described the lottery as a form of gambling and said the government would not allow coaching businesses to exploit the new admission process. Instead, the government plans to arrange in-house coaching facilities.

The minister clarified that the government is not shifting entirely to an exam-based system. He noted that scholarship exams will remain optional, as they provide financial support to poor families who benefit from the awarded stipends.

The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has issued an emergency notice regarding public transport operations during Eid-ul-Fitr. According to the directive released on Monday, the movement of trucks, covered vans, and lorries on highways will be suspended from March 17 to March 23, covering three days before and three days after the festival. The authority also prohibited parking on both sides of major roads during this period.

The BRTA clarified that vehicles carrying essential food items, perishable goods, garments, medicines, fertilizers, and fuel will be exempt from the restriction. To ensure uninterrupted traffic flow, the authority has provided hotline number 16107 and two mobile numbers—01550051606 and 01550056577—for communication with the central control room of the Road Transport and Highways Division.

The directive aims to manage highway traffic efficiently during the peak travel period surrounding Eid-ul-Fitr, when large numbers of people travel across the country.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued an urgent directive to all educational institutions to report on measures taken against drug abuse, eve-teasing, and disorderly 'Rag Day' activities. The directive, sent on March 15, 2026, instructs regional and deputy directors to compile and submit progress reports by March 30 via a designated email. Institutions are also asked to encourage students to focus on nighttime study and to show anti-drug documentaries and theme songs produced by the Department of Narcotics Control.

The order follows a February 25 meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, where several law and order decisions were made. The DSHE letter emphasizes the urgency of implementing awareness programs and social campaigns to combat drug abuse and maintain discipline in educational environments.

Regional officials must collect data from district and upazila-level institutions, including implementation rates, reasons for non-compliance, and relevant comments, and compile them according to a prescribed format before submission.

The Ministry of Education has called a meeting on Monday to review a demonstration of the new transfer software for MPO-listed teachers working in private schools and colleges across Bangladesh. The meeting will be chaired by Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, with Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and the Minister of Primary and Mass Education also expected to attend. Officials said the software, jointly developed by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and Teletalk, has already undergone a successful trial and may receive final approval after the demonstration.

Previously, MPO teachers had no formal system for transfers and could only change institutions through public notifications issued by the NTRCA. That process was discontinued after the third notification, prompting teacher protests and leading the ministry to draft a new transfer policy. However, implementation was delayed due to legal challenges, software development issues, and policy revisions.

If approved, the new system could mark the beginning of a structured digital process for teacher transfers in private educational institutions.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to invite new applications for the inclusion of educational institutions under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme. Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced the decision in the National Parliament on Sunday, March 15, 2026. He stated that previously submitted applications will be re-evaluated as part of the process.

The minister also said that the ministry is considering the recruitment of 9,000 religious teachers across the country to prevent moral degradation. He clarified that teachers from all religions, not only Islamic studies, will be appointed. Additionally, a committee has been formed to bring English medium schools under regulatory oversight.

In response to another parliamentary question, the minister mentioned that the government would decide on establishing new public universities based on necessity. He noted that Bangladesh currently has 57 public universities and that the government is committed to improving their quality.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that the government has adopted a zero tolerance policy to prevent question leaks and cheating in the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations starting on April 21. He said strict monitoring will be ensured at the field level to maintain the sanctity of the exams, and necessary measures will be taken after discussions with officials from all education boards and exam-related personnel. The minister made these remarks during a post-iftar meeting with members of the Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) at his official residence in Dhaka’s Mintoo Road.

Dr. Milan emphasized that ensuring a cheating-free environment is a major challenge but expressed confidence in maintaining past success. He warned that any attempt to leak questions using technology would be strictly suppressed and said he would personally oversee exam security. The minister also hinted at introducing a uniform question paper system nationwide from next year to ensure equal standards for all students. Additionally, he outlined plans for a three-tier screening process for school managing committee presidents and discussed curriculum revisions for 2027.

He described the ministry as his “place of worship” and announced a 180-day action plan aimed at creating a long-term impact through steady and error-free work.