A Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft made an emergency landing on the runway in Jashore on Monday, March 9, 2026. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) confirmed the incident in a message released around 1 p.m. that day.

According to the ISPR statement, the emergency landing occurred after the aircraft experienced a mechanical fault during flight. The pilot landed the plane safely, and no damage was reported to the aircraft. The statement also confirmed that the aviator remained unharmed.

The report did not mention any disruption to airport operations or further investigation into the cause of the mechanical issue.

Dhaka University has decided to suspend all classes and examinations from Monday, March 9, 2026, until Saturday, March 28, 2026, in observance of the upcoming Eid holidays. The decision was made at an emergency meeting of the Syndicate Management Team (SMT) held on Sunday night, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan.

The meeting discussed the government’s circular and a letter from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which guided the temporary suspension of academic activities. The university’s Public Relations Office confirmed the decision through a notice signed by Director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.

According to the announcement, university offices will remain open on March 9, and a further decision regarding administrative operations after that date will be announced later.

The Ministry of Education has announced that all English-medium schools across Bangladesh will remain closed starting Monday, March 9, 2026. The closure, declared ahead of the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, was confirmed in a statement signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Shirin Akter of the Secondary and Higher Education Division’s Private Secondary-1 branch.

According to the statement, the decision was made unanimously in a meeting chaired by the Education Minister with representatives of English-medium schools. The schools will stay closed until the government-declared Eid holidays. The ministry said the move aims to ease public inconvenience in major cities, including Dhaka, during Ramadan.

Two special directives accompanied the announcement. Schools following foreign curricula must continue mandatory examinations as per their pre-announced schedules, and all coaching centers—both Bangla and English-medium—must suspend operations during this period.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has announced that all English medium schools operating under foreign curricula will suspend classes from March 9 until the end of the government-declared Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. However, mandatory examinations may proceed according to previously set schedules. The decision was made during a key meeting on policies for English medium schools and coaching centers held at the Secretariat.

The meeting was chaired by Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and attended by senior officials, including the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, Abdul Khaleque. Discussions focused on easing public inconvenience during Ramadan and considering the current global situation. Representatives of English medium schools participated in the talks, which led to unanimous decisions on school closures and related matters.

According to the meeting’s resolution, all coaching centers, including those for both Bangla and English medium students, will also remain closed during this period. The ministry’s public relations department later confirmed the decisions through an official press release.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said the government is giving the highest priority to primary education and taking steps to make the teaching profession more respected and appealing. He stated that primary education forms the foundation of a nation, and the goal is to turn the job of a primary school teacher into a desirable career that attracts talented individuals. He made these remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing a recognition and award ceremony at the Tangail Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall.

Tuku highlighted that temple-based education programs play a vital role at the grassroots level by nurturing students in morality, humanity, and social values while enhancing their educational skills. He also emphasized that in Bangladesh there should be no distinction between majority and minority communities, as all citizens are Bangladeshis who must work together for national progress. The government, he added, will provide full support to the Hindu community in all matters.

The event was chaired by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque and attended by several local officials and education project representatives. Awards were presented to outstanding teachers, students, and sports competition winners.

The Comilla Education Board has suspended teaching and academic recognition for 13 educational institutions under its jurisdiction due to poor performance in the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. The decision was confirmed through a letter signed by Exam Controller Professor Runa Nasrin on March 5, 2026. Board Chairman Professor Md. Shamsul Islam stated that the institutions failed to meet operational conditions and showed unsatisfactory results, prompting the suspension.

According to the board’s examination committee meeting held on January 7, 2026, institutions with pass rates between zero and five percent were deemed to have unsatisfactory outcomes. The suspended institutions include schools and colleges from Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Comilla, and Chandpur districts. College Inspector Professor Md. Nurunnabi Alam said the suspension is temporary and that institutions may resume academic activities upon fulfilling required conditions.

The board emphasized that repeated poor performance and failure to improve despite prior warnings led to this action. Authorities also indicated that similar measures will be taken against other institutions if their results remain unsatisfactory.

In Dhaka’s Lalmatia D Block, a volunteer-run initiative called ‘Mehmankhana’ has become a vital source of daily meals for the city’s underprivileged. Without political or corporate backing, a group of young volunteers prepares and distributes iftar and one daily meal to around 1,500 to 2,000 people every day during Ramadan. The beneficiaries include rickshaw pullers, day laborers, street children, and low-income workers who gather before sunset to receive food in an orderly manner.

The initiative, founded by Asma Akhter Liza during the COVID-19 lockdown, began with meals for 50 to 100 people and has since expanded to serve thousands. Volunteers cook and serve dishes such as khichuri, chickpeas, puffed rice, fruits, and drinks, maintaining hygiene and discipline throughout the process. Contributions come from individuals donating rice, lentils, oil, chicken, or money via mobile payment.

Beyond Ramadan, Mehmankhana continues to distribute food across Dhaka and operates a small school named ‘Ananda Pathshala’ for disadvantaged children, reflecting its broader humanitarian mission.

The appointment process for a new vice-chancellor at Dhaka University has become uncertain after current Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan submitted his resignation on February 22 but continues in office as it has not yet been officially accepted. The delay in appointing a successor has caused administrative stagnation, with officials reporting that only routine tasks are being completed while major policy and academic decisions remain on hold.

State Minister for Education Bobby Hajjaj stated that Dr. Khan will remain in charge until formal handover, after which the next-in-command will temporarily assume responsibility before a permanent appointment is made following global best practices. The Prime Minister has reportedly shown interest in ensuring international standards in the selection process, possibly through a search committee led by the Education Minister.

University officials warned that prolonged uncertainty could further slow academic and administrative operations, affecting admissions, development projects, and upcoming events. The Education Ministry emphasized that the government aims to bring long-term reforms rather than make hasty decisions.

A severe traffic jam developed on the Dhaka-bound lane of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Gazaria, Munshiganj, on Monday night, causing significant suffering for passengers and drivers. The congestion began after midnight when repair work started on the Langalbandh Bridge in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The slowdown on the bridge quickly affected the entire highway, extending the jam into the Gazaria section.

Truck driver Mohan Mia reported being stuck in traffic since crossing the Daudkandi Bridge around 3 a.m., while private car driver Ujjal Pradhan said about 13 kilometers of the Dhaka-bound lane in Gazaria had become nearly immobile. He noted that it took over two and a half hours to cross the Meghna Bridge, a journey that normally takes less than ten minutes.

Highway police officer Shawkat Hossain confirmed that the congestion was caused by the ongoing repair work on the damaged Langalbandh Bridge and said police were working continuously to ease the situation.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called for creative proposals and effective initiatives to modernize and simplify Bangladesh’s education system. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting organized by the Directorate of Madrasa Education on Sunday, he emphasized that the ministry is a nation-building institution responsible for shaping the country’s future generations.

The minister urged the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and called on stakeholders to review their work and propose improvements to make courses and curricula more relevant and productive. He announced that a new curriculum committee must be formed and its members selected within the current month to meet the 2027 target, with the process starting next week. He also directed that syllabus preparation be completed within the set timeframe through coordinated efforts.

State Minister Bobby Hajjaj requested practical and specific solutions to address challenges in the education sector, including coordination issues and administrative complexities. Officials from the Directorate of Madrasa Education and related departments attended the meeting.

Train services in northern Bangladesh, particularly across Gaibandha, Bogura, and surrounding districts, are facing severe neglect, leading to daily hardship for passengers. Many trains, including the Korotoa and Dolonchapa intercity services, frequently miss schedules, operate with broken compartments, and lack basic cleanliness. Several railway stations along the Santahar–Bonarpara–Lalmonirhat route have been closed for years, causing crossing delays and extended waiting times for intercity trains.

Passengers report that compartments are filled with dust and dirt, toilets are unusable, and lighting is absent in some local trains. Overcrowding and the presence of unauthorized vendors add to the discomfort. The Bonarpara–Santahar college train runs beyond capacity without additional coaches, while ticketless travel and pickpocketing remain common due to the absence of inspectors.

Railway officials acknowledge the problems. Bonarpara station master Pradip Chandra said decisions depend on higher authorities, while Lalmonirhat divisional railway manager Taslim Ahmed Khan, newly appointed, promised to take measures after assessing the situation.

Comilla University has advanced 14 positions to secure the 9th spot among Bangladeshi universities in the 2026 Scimago Institutions Rankings, published on February 26. The Spain-based research organization evaluated 10,827 universities worldwide, including 47 from Bangladesh. Last year, Comilla University ranked 23rd, marking a significant improvement this year.

According to the data, the university ranked 8th in 2024, while it was not listed in 2023, 2022, or 2021. The ranking assesses institutions based on research quality, innovation, and social impact, weighted at 50%, 30%, and 20% respectively. In 2026, Comilla University placed 36th in research, 9th in social impact, and 68th in innovation, resulting in an overall 9th position nationally.

The top ten Bangladeshi universities in the 2026 Scimago ranking include Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Southeast University, University of Dhaka, Islamic University, Sylhet Agricultural University, University of Rajshahi, Begum Rokeya University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Comilla University, and Patuakhali Science and Technology University.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given policy approval for the proposed organogram of Naogaon University, subject to necessary additions and deletions. The decision was made at a meeting held on Thursday morning at the UGC office to finalize the organogram. According to the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dr. Moha. Hasanat Ali, the proposal was submitted to the UGC in November of the previous year and reviewed in the meeting. Following the decision, the organogram will now be sent to the Ministry of Education for final approval.

The vice-chancellor stated that Naogaon University began administrative operations in February 2023 and has already received approval to launch academic activities in two departments—Accounting and Law. In the 2025–2026 academic year, 40 students will be admitted to each department through the cluster admission system.

He also mentioned that the university, currently operating from a temporary campus, is progressing with land acquisition, building construction, and feasibility studies for a government-funded project worth 47.5 million taka. Overall, the university’s development activities are advancing rapidly.

The Ministry of Shipping of Bangladesh announced that all sand-carrying bulkhead and dinghy boats will remain suspended from March 16 to 25 to prevent accidents during the Eid-ul-Fitr travel rush. Nighttime speedboat operations have been banned, and wearing life jackets during daytime travel has been made mandatory. From March 17 to 24, only trucks carrying essential or perishable goods will be allowed on ferries to ensure smooth passenger movement. The decisions were taken at a meeting held on February 26 at the ministry.

Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said passenger pressure on waterways increases significantly during Eid, making safety and comfort a top government priority. Authorities have been instructed to keep roads from Dhaka’s Zero Point to Sadarghat free of congestion from the 15th of Ramadan until the third day after Eid. Law enforcement agencies, including traffic police, naval police, Ansar, and community police, will jointly maintain order and security.

Unfit vessels have been banned, and mobile courts will monitor compliance. Vigilance teams and monitoring units will oversee safety, while rescue and fire services will remain on standby at key river ports.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued an urgent directive to 30 major Hajj agencies to complete all visa processing for pilgrims by March 5. The letter, sent on Wednesday, instructed agencies to finalize health checks, vaccinations, and group formations for pilgrims. A total of 7,355 pilgrims under these agencies are still awaiting health examinations, with Bangladesh Overseas Services having the highest number pending at 1,306 and Ehsan Air Travels the lowest at 10.

According to the ministry, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry requires all visa processing to be completed by March 20. Pilgrims must obtain fitness certificates and vaccinations before applying for visas. The process, including technical steps and group formation, typically takes five to ten days, though technical issues could cause delays.

The ministry also warned that offices in both Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will close around March 20 due to Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, urging agencies to complete all procedures well in advance to avoid disruptions.