State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that Bangladesh’s education system will be restructured to produce skilled, ethical, and employable citizens rather than merely degree holders. Speaking as chief guest at the 2026 freshman reception for Tejgaon College’s undergraduate program in Dhaka, he emphasized that the government’s priority is to align education with real-life skills, values, and employment opportunities.

Citing World Bank data, Hajjaj noted that the average Bangladeshi higher secondary student’s learning level is comparable to that of a sixth-grade student in Singapore, calling the situation alarming. He attributed the decline in education quality to long-standing corruption, mismanagement, and poor planning, which have left many graduates unemployed. The government, he said, is implementing reforms to reverse this trend.

Hajjaj also stressed the importance of moral education, stating that building a developed nation requires citizens with integrity and responsibility. The event was chaired by Tejgaon College Principal Professor Shamima Yasmin and attended by National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah and other faculty members.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has revoked the lifetime emeritus professor title of medicine specialist Professor Dr. A.B.M. Abdullah and ordered him to return nearly two years of honorarium and allowances. The university stated that the decision was an administrative correction of an irregular appointment, not a personal or retaliatory action. The move has sparked widespread debate among doctors and on social media, with questions raised about the reasons and timing of the decision.

According to BMU, Dr. Abdullah’s appointment as lifetime emeritus professor did not follow required procedures such as departmental recommendations and evaluation committee approval. The university said the appointment was made solely on a syndicate member’s proposal and that Dr. Abdullah did not regularly attend work or engage in teaching or research despite receiving full benefits. BMU estimated he received over 1.4 million taka in payments. Critics, however, view the cancellation as disrespectful and politically motivated, while supporters argue it ensures transparency and accountability.

Dr. Abdullah, who served as personal physician to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claimed the cancellation was unjust and questioned why it was done now after several years of service.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that swift measures will be taken to address the residential hall problems at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He made the statement on Saturday while speaking as the chief guest at the orientation program for BUET’s 2025–26 academic year freshmen. The minister emphasized that housing shortages disrupt students’ studies and assured that he would inform the Prime Minister to ensure a solution.

Dr. Milan noted that BUET students are highly talented but sometimes face challenges that can lead them astray. Referring to a past tragic incident, he said a hall would be proposed to be named after Abrar Fahad to preserve his memory. The minister also announced plans to increase research grants and modernize outdated laboratory equipment to enhance the quality of university research.

The event was chaired by BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque and attended by the Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin and BUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury as special guests.

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced that a new dormitory at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) will be named after Abrar Fahad, a student killed by fellow students. The hall will be established as part of BUET’s campus expansion in Purbachal, Dhaka. He made the announcement on Saturday while addressing the orientation program for BUET’s 2025–26 academic year at the university’s central auditorium.

The event was presided over by BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Ekramul Haque, with Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin and BUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury attending as special guests. The minister highlighted increased government allocations for education and pledged to raise the education budget from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP. He emphasized the need for integrity in spending and adequate housing for students.

Milan also stated that the government would pay BUET’s outstanding land installment for the Purbachal campus from its own funds and encouraged the creation of an alumni contribution fund similar to those at leading global universities.

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur has dismissed 14 teachers for failing to return to campus after completing their study leave. The university administration took the action under section 4.1(f) of the Discipline and Appeal Rules 2004. As part of the process, the teachers were required to repay their study-leave salaries with interest, and most have already done so. The administration is still contacting those who have not yet refunded the money.

In addition, four more teachers have been served notices and may face similar action if they fail to provide satisfactory explanations. The dismissed teachers have been instructed to clear all financial dues, including audit objections, within 30 days, or the university will recover the money under the Public Demand Recovery Act. HSTU currently has about 392 teachers, with 69 on study leave—52 abroad and 17 in Bangladesh. At least 18 teachers have not returned after their leave expired.

According to the university registrar, the administration is committed to ensuring that teachers return after study leave to share their acquired knowledge and enhance the institution’s academic quality.

An anti-drug bicycle rally was organized in Satkhira city by Islami Chhatra Shibir on Saturday morning, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse. The event aimed to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug use and encourage young people to stay away from addiction. Hundreds of students participated, starting from Satkhira Government College field and cycling through key city points including Post Office Mor, Narkeltala Mor, Khulna Road Mor, Circuit House Mor, and Bypass before returning to the college field. Participants chanted anti-drug slogans throughout the route.

A brief assembly followed the rally, presided over by Mehedi Hasan, president of Satkhira City Chhatra Shibir, and conducted by secretary Nurunnabi. The chief guest, Maulana Ruhul Amin, office secretary of Satkhira District Jamaat-e-Islami, emphasized the growing threat of drugs in society and urged youth to take a leading role in combating it. He called for stronger social awareness and collective efforts to build a drug-free society.

Speakers also encouraged all sections of society to unite in eradicating drug abuse and promoting moral and religious education among youth.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan has called for strengthening the inspection system of madrasa educational institutions across Bangladesh. He made the directive on Friday at a meeting with acting officials of examination centers under the Dinajpur Education Board and the Rangpur Division’s Madrasa and Technical Education Boards, held at the Dinajpur District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium ahead of the 2026 HSC and equivalent examinations.

The minister noted that the number of madrasa inspectors remains low, leaving many institutions outside proper oversight. He instructed madrasa boards to coordinate with other education boards to expand inspection activities. Milan also mentioned plans to introduce common question papers for shared subjects in madrasa and technical education, similar to those used in general education boards.

Addressing concerns about exam security, the minister warned that anyone spreading rumors about question leaks would face legal action. He emphasized that no leniency would be shown toward those involved in misinformation or rumor campaigns related to the examinations.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon MP emphasized the need for quality education and institutions during a meeting with examination center secretaries in Dinajpur on Friday afternoon. The event, held at the Dinajpur District Shilpakala Academy auditorium, was organized ahead of the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations under the Dinajpur Education Board, Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, and Bangladesh Technical Education Board.

The minister warned that if any cheating is detected during the upcoming exams, both the institution head and the center secretary would face legal action. He instructed that closed-circuit cameras must be installed in every examination center and monitored by the center secretary. Addressing teachers, he stated that those who do not have their own children studying in their institutions have no right to teach and urged all teachers to treat every student as their own child.

The meeting was chaired by Dinajpur Education Board Chairman Professor Elias Ahmed and attended by senior officials from the education boards, local administration, and center secretaries from eight districts under the Dinajpur board.

Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) has revoked the lifetime appointment of Professor Dr. ABM Abdullah as an emeritus professor and ordered him to return all salaries and allowances received in that capacity. The decision was communicated through an official order signed by the university’s registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Mostafa Kamal, following a syndicate meeting held on June 20, 2024. The university stated that the appointment was made in violation of regulations and therefore could not be approved.

According to the order, the syndicate’s 92nd budget session amended the ‘Emeritus Professor Appointment Ordinance’ based on a member’s proposal outside the agenda, after which Dr. Abdullah was appointed for life. The university later determined that the process was irregular and canceled the appointment accordingly. All payments made since that meeting are to be returned to the university treasury.

Reacting to the decision, Dr. Abdullah said he had received the letter and described the move as unprecedented and unjust, noting his five decades of medical service and expressing disappointment at the university’s action.

The government has suspended admission activities at 621 vocational education institutions across Bangladesh for failing to meet the conditions set under the 2024 policy for private technical institutions. The decision, announced in an order signed by Md. Al Masud Karim, Secretary and Inspector (additional charge) of the Technical Education Board, also requires these institutions to explain by July 22 why their teaching approval should not be revoked. Among the affected institutions, 443 operate under the SSC (Vocational) program and 178 under the Dakhil (Vocational) program.

According to the board, the action targets institutions that have not enrolled students for a long time and have failed to fulfill requirements related to admissions, results, infrastructure, staffing, management, and other conditions. The board retains the authority to cancel or withdraw teaching approval for non-compliance. In a separate notice, the minimum age for ninth-grade admission in SSC and Dakhil (Vocational) programs has been reduced from 13 to 12 years.

Additionally, all technical institutions have been instructed to plant fruit and forest trees under the government’s five-year plan to plant 250 million trees, with progress reports due by June 30.

Khulna University authorities have reported that 39 teachers who went abroad on study leave for higher education have not returned to their posts. The university stated that some of them resigned before their leave period ended, while legal measures have been initiated against the rest. According to university policy, teachers may take up to five years of paid study leave for a PhD and up to three years for a master’s or MPhil degree, with an additional two years of unpaid leave allowed in special cases.

Registrar Professor Dr. Mahbubur Rahman said multiple letters were sent to the absent teachers, and 14 are currently facing lawsuits. Legal notices have also been issued to recover funds from those who resigned and to compel others to return. Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Nurunnabi noted that the total recoverable amount stands at around Tk 5.67 crore, with some teachers making partial payments or requesting installments.

Vice-Chancellor (acting) Professor Dr. Md. Harunur Rashid Khan described the trend of not returning after study leave as harmful to both the state and the university, causing prolonged vacancies and teacher shortages that negatively affect students.

Mumtahina Parveen, a Bangladeshi student pursuing a master’s degree in econometrics at Xiamen University, describes China as a land of dreams, education, and inspiration. In her account, she highlights the peaceful and safe environment for study, the scenic beauty of Xiamen city, and the disciplined lifestyle of its residents. She notes that the city’s infrastructure, including separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, reflects careful urban planning.

Parveen emphasizes China’s advanced educational environment, where libraries are quiet and well-equipped, and students must register for seats in advance. She also details the country’s technological integration into daily life, from mobile-based financial transactions through WeChat and Alipay to widespread use of facial recognition for security. Online shopping platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo, along with efficient transport systems, make life highly convenient.

She concludes that China’s disciplined citizens, technological progress, and sustainable urban management offer valuable lessons for Bangladesh. Parveen believes that by adopting similar planning and work ethics, Bangladesh can move toward a more prosperous and modern future.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued a warning urging the public to remain cautious about unauthorized agencies, groups, or caravans promoting Hajj activities. According to a letter released on Thursday by the ministry’s Hajj-3 branch, some unapproved entities are advertising attractive Hajj packages on social media platforms to lure prospective pilgrims. The ministry clarified that only government-approved and licensed Hajj agencies are permitted to organize Hajj activities, and travel through unapproved operators is not possible.

The letter further requested that no financial transactions be made with any unlisted or unlicensed travel agents, groups, or caravans for Hajj-related purposes. It emphasized that only agencies officially listed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs are authorized to handle such arrangements.

The ministry also mentioned that the official Hajj package and guidelines for 2027 will be announced soon and urged all concerned to follow the forthcoming official instructions once published.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon announced that all teachers across Bangladesh will be brought under training programs to improve education quality. He made the statement on Thursday morning at a views-exchange meeting held at the Barishal District Shilpakala Academy with officials from the Barishal region’s education boards ahead of the upcoming HSC and equivalent examinations. The minister said the government is identifying and addressing factors that hinder education quality and is working to ensure a fair and transparent examination process.

He stated that teachers will conduct classes in technology-based classrooms and that the government is committed to building a better education system. The minister also mentioned that the Public Examination Act was amended in 2001 to ensure accountability, with measures such as police body cameras and legal provisions against irregularities in answer scripts and mark distribution. He emphasized timely publication of results within two months of exams and completion of two-year courses within the scheduled period.

The meeting discussed maintaining discipline, managing exam centers, and ensuring a conducive environment for examinees, with officials instructed to act responsibly.

The government has appointed Professor Lal Mohammad, currently an OSD at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and principal of Kushtia Government College, as the new principal of Ideal School and College in Motijheel. The appointment, made from the education cadre, was announced through a DSHE circular issued on Wednesday. Two new experts were also appointed to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), and several officials were transferred on deputation to new posts. All appointed officials must be released from their current positions by June 28.

In a separate circular, the DSHE assigned five education cadre officials as branch heads for five campuses of Monipur School and College in Dhaka. The move aims to improve educational standards and address irregularities and mismanagement. Each branch head will also serve as the income-expenditure officer and oversee academic and administrative activities.

The Parents’ Unity Forum congratulated the newly appointed principal of Ideal School and College, expressing hope that his leadership will enhance educational quality and restore a positive academic environment. The forum also called for a similar appointment at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.