The interim government had made a policy decision to recruit music teachers in primary schools, but the plan has been postponed to allow for a broader recruitment initiative, according to Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. Speaking at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he emphasized that music education should not be viewed narrowly and expressed hope that the next government would revisit the issue. He also announced the launch of a new Diploma in Primary Education (DPEd) program, a two-semester, ten-month course open to eligible applicants. Addressing recent teacher protests, Dr. Poddar clarified that a teacher’s death during the demonstrations was due to chronic illness, not a sound grenade, and assured government support for the family. He added that nine teachers’ associations had reached an understanding with the ministry, while four unregistered groups misled teachers into unnecessary protests.

The Bangladesh government has decided in principle to establish a new public university named 'Dhaka Central University' by merging seven government colleges currently affiliated with the University of Dhaka. According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the initiative aims to enhance education quality, ensure timely examinations, faster result publication, and improve administrative efficiency. An interim administration has been approved to manage admissions, registration, and teaching for the 2024–25 academic year, with classes set to begin on November 23. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has drafted the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2025, which was published online to gather over 5,000 public opinions. The draft is now being reviewed and refined. The ministry emphasized that academic activities will continue uninterrupted during the transition and urged all stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation. Officials view the move as a major step toward improving the country’s higher education system.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has released new attendance instructions for candidates appearing in the 47th BCS written examination. According to a notice published on November 13 on the PSC website, candidates must enter the examination hall at least 15 minutes before the test begins to locate their assigned seats. The PSC stated that seating arrangements have been prepared randomly based on even and odd registration numbers to prevent unwanted situations. This randomization process may take extra time for candidates to identify their seats and rooms. Therefore, candidates are required to be present in the hall before the scheduled time. The notice also clarified that no candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall after 9:45 a.m., as mentioned in the admit card and other official exam guidelines. The new instructions aim to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of the written examination.

The Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has issued a notice requesting educational institutions to submit information on vacant teaching positions for the upcoming special recruitment recommendation. According to the announcement released on Tuesday, November 18, institutions must submit their vacancy data online between November 19 and 28. Only vacancies that existed up to September 30 of the current year will be accepted. The initiative covers MPO-listed private schools, colleges, madrasas, technical, and business management institutions. After submitting the online vacancy demand, institutions are required to pay the associated fee within three days. The collected data will be used for NTRCA’s next round of entry-level teacher recruitment recommendations.

A fish pond in Changsha, Hunan province, China, has gained viral attention after its owners revealed they feed their fish 5,000 kilograms of chilli peppers daily. The pond, co-managed by fish farmer Jiang Sheng and his former classmate Kuang Ke, spans about 10 acres and houses over 2,000 fish. The farmers claim that the capsaicin in the chillies stimulates digestion and nutrient absorption, accelerating fish growth and improving their flavor and appearance. They use common varieties such as cone and millet peppers, asserting that the fish now prefer chillies over grass. The practice reflects the region’s cultural affinity for spicy food and has sparked curiosity online about its effects on aquaculture and food quality. While the owners insist the method is safe and beneficial, experts have yet to confirm any scientific basis for the claims.

Bangladesh’s Finance Ministry has issued a warning after a fake video featuring the image and AI-generated voice of Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed circulated on social media. The ministry clarified that the video, used in advertisements and promotions by an unidentified group, is entirely false and has no connection with Dr. Ahmed or the ministry. The misleading content, created using artificial intelligence technology, allegedly harms the adviser’s social and official reputation. Authorities have taken steps to remove the video and pursue legal action against those responsible. The ministry urged citizens not to be deceived by such fabricated videos or news and to refrain from engaging in any financial transactions based on such misinformation.

More than 11,000 students admitted under the proposed Dhaka Central University are facing severe uncertainty as the institution’s legal framework and structural setup remain incomplete nine months after its announcement. The government had decided to form the university by separating seven government colleges from Dhaka University, but the official ordinance has yet to be issued. Frustrated students staged demonstrations on Sunday, blocking administrative offices and demanding the start of classes and completion of admission formalities. Many complained of administrative confusion and lack of institutional identity. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has called a meeting with 26 stakeholders, including vice-chancellors, education experts, and journalists, to review the draft ordinance. Officials say the delay stems from disagreements over the university’s model and concerns about women’s education. Academics have criticized the decision to admit students before finalizing the university’s structure, urging the government to ensure their academic recognition immediately.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has officially completed the registration process for the 2026 Hajj season, confirming that 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage next year. This marks a reduction of 48,698 pilgrims compared to the previous year’s quota, as Saudi Arabia had allowed 127,198 pilgrims in 2024. Rising costs have contributed to lower participation rates, with only about 85,000 pilgrims traveling in 2024 despite a higher quota. Registered pilgrims can now verify their information through the official Hajj portal (hajj.gov.bd) using their passport numbers, while a dedicated call center (16136) has been launched for assistance. The ministry stated that details on Hajj packages, training, and other preparations will be announced in phases. The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has introduced three private packages ranging from BDT 510,000 to 750,000, while the government has announced three packages priced between BDT 467,167 and 690,597. The 2026 Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, subject to moon sighting.

A fourth-year student of Jahangirnagar University’s International Relations department has filed a written complaint against Associate Professor Fazlul Halim Rana, alleging discriminatory behavior, unfair grading, and mental harassment. The complaint claims the teacher has repeatedly insulted students based on their appearance or madrasa background, labeling some as 'Shibir' or 'militants.' Several students testified that they received inconsistent marks despite similar answers and were subjected to verbal abuse and threats. The complainants demanded that the teacher be barred from evaluating final exam scripts, that all papers be re-evaluated independently, and that a neutral investigation committee be formed. They also sought a permanent policy to prevent personal or political harassment of students. In response, Professor Rana denied all allegations, calling them baseless and asserting that he has never discriminated against students in his 18-year teaching career. The university administration has yet to announce any formal investigation into the matter.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has announced that its undergraduate admission test for the 2025–26 academic year will be held on January 23, 2025. For the first time, the exam will take place at two centers—RUET and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)—using identical question papers to facilitate applicants. The decision was made during RUET’s 154th emergency academic council meeting, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor S.M. Abdur Razzak. The multiple-choice test will accommodate around 19,000 candidates competing for approximately 1,200 seats. Eligibility requires candidates to have achieved at least GPA 4.00 in SSC or equivalent exams in 2022 or 2023 and GPA 5.00 in HSC or equivalent exams in 2025, with minimum GPA 4 in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ level candidates must meet equivalent grade requirements. All final decisions regarding the admission process will be made by the steering committee.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has completed the registration process for the 2026 Hajj, confirming that 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage next year. A ministry notice issued on Sunday, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Tofiqul Islam, stated that registered pilgrims can now verify their information through the official Hajj portal (hajj.gov.bd) using their passport numbers. A dedicated Hajj call center (16136) has also been launched for inquiries and verification. The ministry said that with registration complete, details on Hajj packages, training, and other preparations will be announced in phases. In 2024, Saudi Arabia allowed 127,198 Bangladeshi pilgrims, but only 87,100 registered. Rising costs have led to a reduced quota for 2026. The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced three private packages ranging from Tk 510,000 to Tk 750,000, while the government has set three packages costing between Tk 467,167 and Tk 690,597. The 2026 Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, subject to moon sighting.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance has issued an urgent warning after a fake video featuring interim government finance adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed circulated on social media. The ministry stated that the video, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to mimic the adviser’s voice and image, is entirely false and misleading. It accused certain interest groups of spreading the content on Facebook for promotional purposes. The ministry clarified that neither Dr. Ahmed nor the ministry has any connection with the statements made in the video. It further noted that the AI-generated manipulation aimed to create confusion among the public and harm the adviser’s reputation. Legal measures are being taken to remove the video and identify those responsible. Citizens have been urged to verify information before engaging in any financial transactions and to remain alert against deceptive online content.

The Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board has published the results of the Alim examination answer script re-evaluation for the current year. According to the results released on Sunday, November 16, at 10:30 a.m., 34 students have newly achieved GPA-5, while 45 students who had previously failed have now passed. A total of 9,781 students applied for re-evaluation, submitting 31,828 applications as some challenged multiple subjects. Overall, grade changes occurred for 85 students. The re-evaluation results are available on the Madrasa Education Board’s official website, and all applicants have also received their updated results via SMS. The process reflects the board’s effort to ensure fairness and transparency in the examination system, allowing students to seek review of their evaluated papers when discrepancies are suspected.

The Dhaka Education Board has released the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exam re-evaluation for 2024. Following the review, 201 students who previously did not achieve the highest grade have now obtained GPA-5, while 308 students who had failed have passed. A total of 89,671 students applied for re-evaluation, resulting in changes for 2,331 students and grade adjustments for 2,373. The original HSC results, published on October 16, showed a pass rate of 58.83% across 11 education boards, with 69,097 students achieving GPA-5. This marks a significant decline compared to the previous year’s 77.78% pass rate and 145,911 GPA-5 achievers. The re-evaluation results were announced on Sunday, November 16, at 10 a.m., and are available online through the respective education boards’ websites as well as via SMS notifications sent to applicants.

The results of the re-evaluation process for the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), Alim, and equivalent examinations have been officially published in Bangladesh. The results were released simultaneously at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, through the websites of nine general education boards, the Madrasah Education Board, and the Technical Education Board. Students who applied for re-evaluation will also receive their updated marks via SMS. According to the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee, a record number of applications were submitted this year, with 226,000 students requesting re-evaluation of 428,000 answer scripts. The highest number of applications came from the Dhaka Board, while the lowest was from the Barishal Board. Most re-evaluation requests were for English and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subjects. Applications were accepted from October 17 to 23, following the initial result publication on October 16, with a fee of Tk 150 per subject. This year, 1.25 million students participated in the exams, with an overall pass rate of 58.83 percent.