Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned academic, researcher, and essayist Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque. The condolence message was issued on Sunday, noting that the passing of the former president of Bangla Academy and ex-chairman of Dhaka University’s Department of Bangla marks the loss of a distinguished figure in the nation’s education, literature, and intellectual spheres.

According to the UGC Chairman, Professor Haque made significant contributions to higher education, research, and literary development over more than four decades. His efforts to promote the Bengali language, free thought, and national culture were described as particularly memorable. His writings and research are expected to remain valuable sources of knowledge and inspiration for future generations.

Professor Mamun Ahmed also highlighted Haque’s honesty, humility, and dedication to students, noting that his sincerity and depth of knowledge earned him lasting respect among peers and learners. He prayed for the departed soul and extended condolences to Haque’s family, colleagues, students, and admirers.

Reports have emerged of mismanagement in the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations across Bangladesh, with wrong question papers distributed at several centers during the first two days of tests. Students and parents expressed anger and concern, fearing the errors could negatively affect results. The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee issued warnings to those involved and promised strict action. Despite assurances, uncertainty remains among examinees.

In Jamalpur, 100 students from Government Zaheda Safir Mohila College reportedly sat for the Bangla second paper using 2025 syllabus questions instead of 2026. Similar incidents occurred in Narsingdi and Tangail, where teachers were relieved of duty for negligence. Officials explained that mixed bundles of question papers caused the confusion, and affected answer scripts would be reviewed leniently.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has instructed all centers to seat regular and irregular candidates separately to prevent further mix-ups. It warned that any future violations of exam protocols would result in disciplinary action against responsible officials.

In Jamalpur, 100 students from Government Jaheda Safir Mohila College took their HSC Bangla second paper exam using question papers based on the 2025 syllabus instead of 2026. The incident occurred on Saturday morning in room 4202 of the Government Ashek Mahmud College examination center. Students discovered the error only after completing the exam, prompting concerns about their results and fairness.

Center Secretary and Principal Mir Shawkat Alam Mir explained that although the bundles were labeled as 2026 question papers, five bundles for that room mistakenly contained 2025 syllabus papers. Since invigilators could not verify the contents before distribution, the wrong papers were handed out. The issue was immediately reported to the education board.

According to the board’s directive, the answer scripts of the affected 100 students will be evaluated separately and leniently, following the 2025 syllabus. The center had over 900 examinees in total, including 69 irregular and improvement candidates for whom the 2025 papers were originally intended.

The results of the primary scholarship examination in Bangladesh will be announced on July 9, according to a decision made at a meeting of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. The Directorate of Primary Education confirmed that 82,500 students across the country will receive scholarships this year, and the scholarship amount may increase up to four times. The examination was held nationwide from April 15 to 18, with special schedules for the three hill districts from April 17 to 20.

According to ministry data, 80 percent of the scholarships are allocated for students of government primary schools, while 20 percent will go to students from private schools and kindergartens. Scholarships will be awarded in two categories—Talent Pool (merit-based) and General Grade. Results will be accessible online through the IPEMIS portal and via mobile SMS.

Scholarship recipients will receive financial support for three years, from grades six to eight. A proposal to increase the current stipend amount two to four times is under active government consideration to further encourage students.

Two years after Begum Rokeya University (BRU) announced several initiatives to preserve the memory of student martyr Abu Sayeed, most of the projects remain unimplemented. Plans for a memorial monument, July Memory Museum, and preservation of related sites have not progressed beyond paper, drawing frustration from students and Abu Sayeed’s contemporaries. Although a foundation stone for the museum was laid a year ago, no visible construction has begun, and the memorial gate project also remains idle.

University officials claim that design and budget coordination with the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) are ongoing. Registrar Dr. Ferdous Rahman stated that tenders have been invited and government approval is in process. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shawkat Ali said the memorial arch project falls under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and construction will start after the minister’s upcoming visit on July 16. The UGC has allocated a budget for the gate, and work on the museum will begin after the gate’s completion.

Students, however, express growing dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay, calling for immediate action to honor Abu Sayeed’s legacy.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has clarified that research funding for public universities has increased by about 13 percent for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The clarification came after several media reports allegedly presented incomplete information, creating confusion among teachers, researchers, and students. According to the UGC, a total of Tk 226 crore has been allocated for research, contradicting claims that no budget was set aside for this purpose.

The UGC stated that the government has simplified and made the research funding process more transparent and researcher-friendly to avoid duplication. It emphasized that academic freedom, institutional identity, and research diversity will remain intact. On July 2, 2026, the UGC requested all public universities to submit their research plans, sub-sectoral funding needs, and budget estimates to facilitate timely fund disbursement.

Universities were instructed to prioritize greater participation of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in research, foster collaboration between senior and emerging researchers, and align research projects with national needs and government priorities.

A Novoair flight bound for Cox’s Bazar made an emergency landing in Dhaka after a mechanical fault prevented its landing gear from retracting. The incident occurred on Friday evening shortly after the aircraft took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The flight, identified as VQ-935, departed at 6:50 p.m. and encountered the issue about 10 to 15 minutes later. Despite multiple attempts, the captain was unable to retract the landing gear and decided to return to Dhaka. The aircraft circled in the air for around 40 to 45 minutes before landing safely.

Prime Minister’s civil aviation and tourism adviser Humayun Kabir was among the passengers on board. He later stated that the captain’s decision was entirely correct and taken in the interest of passenger safety, though the extended flight time caused anxiety among passengers. Following the incident, Kabir urged stricter fitness inspections for older aircraft operated by private airlines, emphasizing that there can be no compromise on passenger safety.

He added that regular and effective fitness checks could help prevent similar risks in the future.

Eight students from Abdulpur Government College in Lalpur, Natore, were initially unable to sit for their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations despite paying the required form fees. The issue came to light through media reports on Thursday. Upon learning of the incident, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon contacted the Rajshahi Education Board chairman and directed immediate action to ensure the students could take their exams.

According to the complaint, the college’s office assistant, Amit Kumar Sarkar, had collected the form fees but failed to deposit them properly, resulting in the students not receiving their admit cards. The minister ordered a swift investigation and legal action against those responsible. Following his instructions, the Rajshahi Education Board completed the students’ form submissions on Friday, allowing them to join the exams from Saturday as regular candidates.

Police later arrested the accused office assistant, and a three-member investigation committee headed by Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud was formed. The ministry also addressed a similar case in Bogura, ensuring the affected student could sit for the exam after corrective measures.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has directed all HSC examination centers under its jurisdiction to arrange shaded seating areas and chairs for guardians waiting outside exam venues. The order, issued on Thursday through a letter signed by Examination Controller Professor Jesmin Taslima Banu, also instructs the deployment of Rover Scouts, Girls Guides, or BNCC members to maintain discipline and manage crowds around the centers.

The directive follows inspections that revealed many guardians remain outside centers for long periods without proper seating or shelter, often enduring rain, heat, or adverse weather. The board noted that the absence of organized supervision outside centers has led to congestion and disorder in some areas.

Copies of the letter have been sent to all deputy commissioners, upazila executive officers, district education officers, and relevant departments under the Dhaka Board to ensure awareness and prompt implementation of the measures.

On the first day of the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations under the Dinajpur Education Board, 1,937 students were absent during the Bangla First Paper exam. One student was expelled from a center in Thakurgaon district for adopting unfair means. The information was confirmed by Professor Md. Borhan Uddin, the board’s controller of examinations, after Thursday’s test.

Out of a total of 91,035 registered candidates, 89,098 took part in the exam, marking an absentee rate of 2.13 percent. District-wise, Rangpur recorded 379 absentees, Gaibandha 324, Dinajpur 366, Nilphamari 232, Kurigram 204, Thakurgaon 160, Lalmonirhat 134, and Panchagarh 128. The examination controller stated that the first day’s test was conducted peacefully and without major incidents.

He added that coordinated efforts by the education board, district administration, law enforcement agencies, and examination centers ensured a smooth process. Authorities expect the upcoming exams to continue in the same orderly manner.

Two teachers in Narsingdi have been temporarily withdrawn after an old 2025 question paper was mistakenly distributed during the first day of the 2026 HSC examination. The incident occurred on Thursday in room 201 of Narsingdi Pilot High School center, where students realized about 15 minutes into the exam that they had received the wrong paper. The correct 2026 question paper was later distributed, but no extra time was given, prompting concern among students about their results.

The center secretary, Professor Nasima Akter of Narsingdi Government Women’s College, confirmed the incident and described it as regrettable. Assistant Professor Alok Kumar Pal and Associate Professor Subrata Kumar Saha, responsible for receiving and distributing the papers, were withdrawn for negligence. An investigation team led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md. Raseduzzaman has been assigned to probe the matter.

Officials from the district administration and education department stated that CCTV footage and other evidence are being reviewed. Further action will be taken after the investigation report is submitted.

Students of Sunamganj Medical College continued their protest for the twelfth consecutive day on Thursday, locking the principal and teachers inside the academic building. They demanded immediate activation of the college hospital, recruitment of sufficient teachers, and an urgent meeting with the Health and Family Welfare Minister. The students said they had been protesting since 2025 but classes continued without the hospital being operational, making their education ineffective. They accused the administration of failing to arrange meetings with the ministry and of ignoring their concerns.

Principal Mostak Ahmed Bhuiyan stated that the students’ two main demands—hospital activation and teacher recruitment—were accepted in a recent Health Ministry meeting. According to him, outpatient services would begin within one and a half months, indoor services in October, and full hospital operations by December. However, the students rejected this roadmap and continued their protest, saying they no longer trusted verbal assurances.

The principal criticized the act of locking teachers, calling it inappropriate despite the ministry’s commitment to their demands.

Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin said that necessary reforms in Bangladesh’s education system, aligned with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s election manifesto, will serve as the foundation for building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. He made the remarks on Thursday morning at a Dhaka hotel during the official announcement of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) System Transformation Grant and Multiplier Grant.

The event was jointly organized by GPE, UNESCO, UNICEF, ADB, and the Ministries of Education and Primary and Mass Education. Dr. Amin announced that Bangladesh has secured a grant of 98.85 million dollars with support from international development partners. He emphasized that the partnership would make the education system more inclusive and highlighted ongoing modernization of curricula from grades one to twelve, focusing on creativity, culture, sports, and technical and language skills.

Dr. Amin also stressed teacher training and professional development as essential for achieving the goals of modern education. He added that the grant would help enhance teachers’ capacity and reduce inequality through uniform standards, smart classrooms, and sustainable school feeding programs.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced plans to recruit more than 100,000 new teachers in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka during a UNESCO event titled ‘Global Partnership for Education System Transformation Grant and Multiplier Grant for Bangladesh.’

According to the minister, the government plans to appoint 32,500 head teachers in government primary schools and around 70,000 teachers and lecturers in various MPO-affiliated private educational institutions. He added that the Appellate Division has delivered a verdict allowing the recruitment of the 32,500 head teachers, enabling the ministry to proceed with the appointments.

The minister described the inclusion of approximately 70,000 MPO-affiliated teachers and lecturers as a major development for the education sector.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations for this year began peacefully across Bangladesh on Thursday. The first day’s exams were held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. under 11 education boards, with 24,784 students absent nationwide. The highest rate of absenteeism was recorded under the Madrasa Education Board. Seven students were expelled for cheating and other reasons, though no teachers faced expulsion.

The exams started with Bangla First Paper for general and technical boards and Qur’an Majid for the madrasa board. A total of 1,270,583 students from 9,439 institutions are participating at 2,697 centers, an increase of 22,766 from last year. According to the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, 17,233 students were absent under the nine general boards, 4,478 under the madrasa board, and 3,073 under the technical board.

This year, all general boards are using a unified question paper. Written exams will continue until August 8, followed by practical tests by August 15. To prevent question leaks, special security measures have been implemented, including CCTV surveillance for the first time in the country’s history.