The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has initiated the process to publish its seventh mass recruitment circular for private educational institutions. A demand letter seeking approval to fill 68,000 verified vacant posts has already been sent to the Ministry of Education. According to an NTRCA administration official, the ministry will review and approve the request before the circular is officially released.

NTRCA sources said that earlier, data on vacant positions were collected through Teletalk, which initially identified over 72,000 vacancies. After verification by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the Directorate of Madrasa Education, and the Directorate of Technical Education, 68,000 of those were confirmed as genuine vacancies. The authority has now sought ministry approval to proceed with recruitment for these posts.

Previously, on June 17, 2025, NTRCA issued its sixth mass circular to recruit 100,822 teachers, later recommending around 41,000 appointments. Officials expect that once ministry approval is granted, the seventh circular can be published promptly.

The admission test for the 2025–26 academic session of nine agriculture cluster universities in Bangladesh is being held today, Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination began at 2 p.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. A total of 88,228 students are participating in the test for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates are competing for each seat. The examination is taking place simultaneously at 20 sub-centers across the country.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) is coordinating all technical and administrative aspects of the examination. The universities under the agriculture cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University.

Among the total seats, Bangladesh Agricultural University has 1,006, Gazipur Agricultural University 510, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University 705, Patuakhali Science and Technology University 452, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University 275, Sylhet Agricultural University 431, Khulna Agricultural University 150, Habiganj Agricultural University 90, and Kurigram Agricultural University 82.

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has announced a special bus service to assist candidates appearing for the 2025–26 academic year undergraduate admission test under the agriculture cluster. The service will operate on January 3, with buses running before and after the exam along designated routes. The announcement was made on January 2 through a notice signed by Professor Dr. Mohammad Golzarul Aziz, Director of Transport at BAU.

According to the notice, three bus trips will run from Digharkanda Bypass and Kewatkhali Bypass to the university campus at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. After the exam, buses will depart from the university helipad at 3:30 p.m. to return candidates to their destinations. The initiative aims to reduce travel difficulties and ensure timely arrival at exam centers.

Additionally, BAU has reintroduced the “BAU Exam Hall Finder” for the third time and set up a central help desk to provide seating information and other assistance. The ICT Cell will operate a help desk to support candidates facing admit card or technical issues.

The admission test for the science faculty’s A unit of Chittagong University’s 2025–26 academic session was held on Friday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Various student organizations, including Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU), Chhatra Dal, and Chhatra Shibir, provided assistance to examinees and their guardians. This year, 233,327 students are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 candidates per seat.

ChakSU set up six information centers, six guardian pavilions, and two medical booths across the campus to guide and support visitors. It also formed three patrol teams to prevent irregularities such as overcharging at food stalls and in transport, and published a hotline number for complaints. Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir each deployed around 200 volunteers to distribute water, pens, and snacks, and to offer basic medical help. Leaders from these groups said their goal was to ensure a smooth and supportive environment for all candidates.

According to ChakSU leaders, the presence of an active student union this year contributed to a better experience for examinees compared to previous years.

The Chittagong University undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year will begin on Friday, January 2, with the ‘A’ unit under the Faculty of Science. A total of 233,327 candidates are competing for 4,165 seats across four units and three sub-units, meaning 56 applicants per seat. The highest number of applicants, 87,794, have applied for the ‘A’ unit, which includes science, biology, engineering, and marine sciences faculties, while the lowest, 1,421, have applied for the ‘D-1’ sub-unit under the Faculty of Education.

The exams will be held in three divisional cities—Chittagong University, Dhaka University, and Rajshahi University. The ‘A’ unit test starts at 11:15 a.m. and ends at 12:15 p.m. on Friday. Other units will follow on January 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Each test carries 120 marks, including 100 for multiple-choice questions and 20 from SSC and HSC GPA scores. A penalty of 0.25 marks applies for each wrong answer.

Security arrangements include 637 personnel, with traffic police, university security staff, and law enforcement agencies ensuring order. Six information booths and six parent waiting tents have been set up for assistance.

Nine public agricultural universities in Bangladesh will hold their unified undergraduate admission test for the 2025–26 academic year on Saturday, January 3. The one-hour multiple-choice examination will take place simultaneously across the country from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. under the overall supervision of Gazipur Agricultural University, which is leading this year’s cluster. The seating plan was published on December 28 on the official cluster website, and all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth operations.

A total of 88,228 applicants have registered for 3,701 available seats, meaning around 24 candidates will compete for each seat. Gazipur Agricultural University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman stated that the university has taken maximum preparations to conduct the exam in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner. Question preparation, transportation, center management, monitoring, and security arrangements have been finalized, with law enforcement and vigilance teams deployed to prevent irregularities.

The nine universities in the cluster include Bangladesh Agricultural University, Gazipur Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Sylhet Agricultural University, Khulna Agricultural University, Habiganj Agricultural University, and Kurigram Agricultural University.

On January 1, 2026, students in Tongi, Gazipur, received new textbooks marking the start of the academic year. Children from pre-primary to fifth grade were given their new books at Haji Kachimuddin Public School, Tilarghati M.A. Gani High School, and Upoma Memorial School. The students expressed joy and excitement upon receiving the books.

However, due to a three-day national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the usual book festival was not held this year. Teachers from several other schools, including Tongi Safiuddin Government Academy and Al Helal Academy, said that book distribution for their students would take place on Sunday.

According to M.A. Gani High School’s head teacher, Lutfor Rahman Liton, books for grades six to nine had not yet arrived but would be distributed once received.

The United Arab Emirates has announced a unified schedule for Friday sermons and prayers across all seven emirates, including Dubai. Starting Friday, January 2, 2026, all mosques nationwide will hold the Jumu’ah prayer at 12:45 PM. The Islamic Affairs, Awqaf and Zakat General Authority stated that the new timing will take effect from the first Friday of the new year, urging worshippers to arrive early to avoid missing the sermon.

According to the authority, the initiative aims to standardize Friday worship practices across the country, ensuring that all worshippers can listen to the full sermon and maintain discipline during prayer. The unified timing is also expected to help families, workers, and students better plan their Fridays, aligning with the government’s broader policy of social coordination.

The UAE government has declared 2026 as the “Year of the Family.” Officials said the new prayer schedule supports family time, balanced living, and greater comfort on Fridays. Religious scholars confirmed that the 12:45 PM timing falls within the prescribed period for Jumu’ah prayer and meets all Shariah requirements.

Students of ibtedayi madrasas in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur expressed joy after receiving new textbooks on the first day of the year. The distribution began at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, across 39 affiliated and 34 independent ibtedayi madrasas. From early morning, students gathered at their madrasa premises to collect the colorful new books, while teachers and parents expressed satisfaction with the government’s timely distribution.

Madrasa authorities said that receiving books on the first day of the year would increase students’ interest in studies and help ensure regular classes from the start of the academic session. Parents from several madrasas thanked the government and education officials for providing free textbooks at the beginning of the school year.

Upazila Secondary Education Officer Dipak Kumar Bonik stated that the distribution was completed on schedule under government directives, generating widespread enthusiasm among students. He added that timely delivery of textbooks would make the education process more dynamic. The event followed the national curriculum policy of distributing free textbooks to primary and ibtedayi students on the first day of every year.

Students of ibtedayi madrasas in Nawabganj upazila of Dinajpur expressed joy after receiving new textbooks on the first day of the year. The distribution began at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, across 39 affiliated and 34 independent ibtedayi madrasas. From early morning, students gathered at their madrasa premises to collect the colorful new books, while teachers and parents expressed satisfaction with the government’s timely distribution.

Madrasa authorities said that receiving books on the first day of the year would increase students’ interest in studies and help ensure regular classes from the start of the academic session. Parents from several madrasas thanked the government and education officials for providing free textbooks at the beginning of the school year.

Upazila Secondary Education Officer Dipak Kumar Bonik stated that the distribution was completed on schedule under government directives, generating widespread enthusiasm among students. He added that timely delivery of textbooks would make the education process more dynamic. The event followed the national curriculum policy of distributing free textbooks to primary and ibtedayi students on the first day of every year.

On January 1, 2026, many secondary-level students in Bangladesh did not receive all their free textbooks, though primary students received complete sets. According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), over 27 percent of secondary textbooks had not yet been supplied by the first day of the new school year. Officials said about 75 percent of secondary books had been distributed by December 31, with the remainder expected by mid-January.

NCTB officials explained that while printing and distribution for primary books were completed on time, delays occurred for grades seven and eight after the government canceled printing tenders for grades six to eight in November and reissued them. As a result, only 72.71 percent of secondary books had reached field level by the end of December, though 88 percent had been printed and 81.13 percent passed pre-distribution inspection.

Officials expect all secondary students to receive their remaining books by mid-January, though some sources indicated that full distribution could extend through January or even into February.

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar announced that all primary school students have received their textbooks on the first day of the new year. He made the statement on Thursday, January 1, after inaugurating the book distribution program at Abul Basar Government Primary School in Agargaon, Dhaka. The adviser also noted that the quality of this year’s books is better than before.

According to Poddar, the government has printed a total of 300 million free textbooks for both primary and secondary levels this year. Due to the ongoing state mourning following the death of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the usual book distribution festival was not held. Instead, the books were handed over to students in a simple, informal manner.

The adviser’s remarks highlight the government’s continued effort to ensure timely textbook distribution and maintain educational continuity despite national mourning.

A total of 94,000 applications have been submitted for the 2025–26 undergraduate admission tests at Comilla University (CoU), according to the university’s admission committee. The application process closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. The committee’s convener, Professor Dr. Md. Tofayel Ahmed, confirmed the information on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

The university has 890 seats across three units—Science, Humanities, and Business Studies—excluding quotas, with an additional 107 seats reserved under various quotas. The Science unit (‘A’) received 44,827 applications for 300 seats, Humanities (‘B’) received 36,700 for 390 seats, and Business Studies (‘C’) received 12,473 for 200 seats. Admission tests will be held on January 30 for the ‘A’ unit, and on January 31 for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ units.

Each test will be one hour long, carrying 100 marks in multiple-choice format, with 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer. The minimum passing score is 33. After the application period ends, seat distribution and related details will be published on the university’s admission website. Applicants may correct their information between January 1 and 5 during office hours.

Administrators, faculty representatives, and trustees from Bangladesh’s private universities have voiced deep concern over the future of the country’s private higher education sector. Their alarm follows the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) proposed amendment to the Private University Act 2010, discussed at an emergency joint meeting in Dhaka attended by over a hundred representatives from 85 institutions. The Bangladesh Association of Private Universities (APUB) issued a statement on Monday warning that without changes to discriminatory and restrictive policies, the sector could face serious instability and conflict.

Speakers at the meeting said private university students bear full tuition fees along with VAT and other taxes but receive no government scholarships, student loans, or research support. They criticized delays in UGC approval for modern programs and PhD initiatives, which they said hinder global competitiveness. Participants argued that excessive regulatory control has left more than 400,000 students and thousands of teachers, researchers, and trustees in uncertainty.

The meeting proposed six key reforms, including forming an independent higher education commission, adopting education-friendly global policies, introducing student loans and research support, strengthening industry-academia collaboration, reviewing VAT and taxes, and ensuring transparent approval processes.

The Ministry of Education has released the 2026 academic year holiday schedule, reducing the total number of holidays by 12 days. Several holidays, including Shab-e-Meraj, Janmashtami, and Ashura, have been canceled. According to the published list, schools will remain open for much of the holy month of Ramadan, with the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr holidays beginning on March 8, 2026. As Ramadan is expected to start on February 17, depending on the moon sighting, schools will remain open until the 21st day of Ramadan.

In 2025, there were 28 days of holidays for Ramadan, Doljatra, Independence Day, Jummatul Wida, Shab-e-Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr combined. For 2026, these holidays have been reduced to 19 days. The Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation period has also been shortened from 15 to 12 days, and the winter vacation has been reduced by one day.

The revised schedule reflects the ministry’s effort to adjust the academic calendar and maintain more instructional days within the school year.