Biman Bangladesh Airlines has advised all passengers traveling through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on December 25 to allow extra time for their journey due to expected severe traffic congestion around the airport area. The national carrier issued a statement on Tuesday warning that heavy public gatherings are anticipated near the airport, Gulshan link road, and the Purbachal Expressway (300 feet), which could lead to significant delays.

The advisory follows reports from multiple media outlets predicting large crowds in these areas on the day, possibly linked to public events and holiday travel. Biman requested both domestic and international passengers to plan their trips well in advance and arrive at the airport earlier than usual to avoid inconvenience. The airline expressed hope that passengers’ cooperation would ensure smooth and stress-free travel experiences.

Authorities have not announced any special traffic management plan yet, but travelers are being urged to monitor updates and plan accordingly to prevent missed flights or disruptions.

Nearly 72,000 students have applied for admission to Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the 2025–26 academic year, according to the university’s admission committee. As of December 23, 49,861 students applied to Unit A and 20,947 to Unit B, with an additional 1,185 applicants in sub-units. The application period, which began on December 8, will close on December 25 at 11:59 p.m., with no extension planned.

Admission Committee Member Secretary Professor Dr. Mohammad Selim confirmed that the final number of applicants will be known after the deadline. The admission tests are scheduled for January 13 for Unit A and January 14 for Unit B, to be held in Sylhet and Dhaka centers. This year, SUST will admit 1,566 students, including 985 in Unit A and 581 in Unit B, with 77 additional seats reserved under five quota categories.

The merit list will be based on a combined score of test marks and GPA from SSC and HSC results, following the updated admission guidelines.

Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has scrapped more than two million faulty primary school textbooks, valued at around Tk 15 crore, after discovering widespread printing defects and substandard paper use. Over fifty printing presses have been implicated, and more than 3,000 tons of low-quality paper have been rejected. Officials said the books were destroyed using cutting machines as part of a drive to ensure quality compliance.

Former and current NCTB officials confirmed that similar irregularities occurred in previous years, with some presses allegedly linked to a long-standing political and business syndicate accused of embezzling billions of taka through low-quality textbook production. Industry leaders and inspectors reported threats and bribery attempts aimed at avoiding penalties. The Education Ministry has pledged strict action against those responsible.

Observers note that the crackdown marks one of the largest quality-control interventions in Bangladesh’s textbook printing history. However, questions remain about whether entrenched networks within the printing sector can be dismantled and accountability sustained in the coming academic years.

Students at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur have renamed two academic buildings to honor slain anti-hegemony activists Sharif Osman Hadi and Abrar Fahad. On December 22, students placed banners renaming Academic Building-3 as ‘Shaheed Osman Hadi Bhaban’ and Academic Building-2 as ‘Shaheed Abrar Fahad Academic Building,’ marking a symbolic tribute to their sacrifice.

Student organizers said the initiative aims to preserve the memory of those who spoke against foreign dominance and paid with their lives. Nezaj Ahmed from the Gender and Development Studies Department stated that future generations would learn about their courage through these building names. Other students echoed that the renaming reflects the spirit of justice and protest that universities should uphold.

Abrar Fahad, a BUET student, was beaten to death in 2019 for his criticism of foreign influence, while activist Osman Hadi died in December 2025 after being shot earlier that month. The move has sparked discussions on student activism and remembrance culture in Bangladesh’s universities.

At the seventh convocation of State University of Bangladesh (SUB) in Purbachal, Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, emphasized that academic degrees alone are insufficient for success in global competition. He called on graduates to cultivate capability, discipline, and credibility, noting that Bangladesh has achieved much at the individual level but lagged in building sustainable institutions.

Dr. Nazrul observed that once-strong institutions such as the police, judiciary, and administration have weakened over the past decade and a half, making effective governance difficult. Drawing on post–World War II Europe, he stressed that strong institutions are vital for sustainable development. University Grants Commission Chairman Dr. S.M.A. Faiz also addressed the event, urging graduates to transform technological challenges into opportunities and contribute to a humane, knowledge-driven Bangladesh.

The convocation awarded degrees to 672 graduates across ten departments, with several receiving gold, silver, and dean’s awards. The event concluded with a colorful procession and cultural program celebrating the university’s achievements.

Dhaka University has announced a new date for its postponed Science Unit admission test for the 2025–2026 academic year. According to an official notice signed by Acting Director of Public Relations Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the first-year undergraduate entrance exam will now be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The university also stated that candidates who had applied to sit for the exam at centers outside Dhaka and have overlapping admission tests at other universities on December 26 or 27 will be allowed to change their exam centers to Dhaka. Applicants can submit their requests online between 5:00 p.m. on December 21 and midnight on December 23 through the admission website admission.eis.du.ac.bd.

Students must upload copies of their HSC registration card and the admit card of the conflicting university exam when applying for a center change. The new schedule aims to minimize conflicts and ensure fair access for all applicants ahead of the competitive admission season.

Panchchar High School in Shibchar, Madaripur, has marked over a century of educational excellence, evolving from its 1920 founding as 'The Panchchar High English School' into a model institution blending traditional learning with modern technology. Established by a group of visionary youths led by Dhirendranath Chatterjee, the school has produced generations of accomplished alumni, including national leaders, educators, and professionals.

Currently hosting 950 students, the school features digital classrooms, a library, and sports facilities, while maintaining strong academic results — achieving a 100% pass rate in the 2025 SSC exams with 21 students earning GPA-5. Principal Md. Shah Alam Siraji highlighted the school’s commitment to inclusive education, offering free tuition and uniforms to underprivileged students. However, he noted the need for additional classrooms and a new computer lab to meet growing demands.

School board president and former national football coach Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui emphasized preserving the institution’s legacy and ensuring continued academic excellence as Panchchar High School advances toward becoming a fully smart educational model.

Jahangirnagar University has commenced its 2025–2026 academic year admission tests, starting with the ‘C’ unit covering the Faculties of Arts and Humanities, Law, and the Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture. The exams began on Sunday, December 21, at 9 a.m., marking the start of a week-long admission process across multiple faculties.

According to the university’s central admission committee, 47,497 applicants have competed for 466 seats in the ‘C’ unit, translating to roughly 101 candidates per seat. The test is being conducted in six shifts—three for female candidates and three for male candidates—to ensure smooth management. Tests for other units, including ‘B’, ‘E’, ‘C1’, and ‘D’, will follow through December 29.

Officials said the large turnout reflects growing interest in Jahangirnagar University’s humanities and law programs. The admission process will conclude with the final ‘A’ unit examinations on December 29, after which results and merit lists are expected to be published in early January 2026.

Saudi Arabia has announced an increase in the number of annual scholarships for Bangladeshi students, raising the quota to 500. The announcement was made by the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh on December 19, 2025. The scholarships will be available across 30 public and 14 private universities, covering undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and diploma programs in ten disciplines including economics, business administration, education, law, politics, media, religion, language, agriculture, computer science, and engineering.

Applicants can now apply to three universities of their choice from a list of 25 institutions through a centralized system, replacing the previous requirement to apply separately to each university. Selection will be based on merit and specific quotas for foreign students. Participating universities include King Saud University, Islamic University of Madinah, and King Abdulaziz University.

The move is expected to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, offering greater access to world-class higher education for Bangladeshi youth and supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader international education outreach.

The Islamic Arabic University has postponed the Fazil (Honours) 2024 examination scheduled for Saturday, citing unavoidable circumstances. The decision was confirmed on Friday by the university’s Controller of Examinations, Mohammad Ali. Authorities have stated that a new date for the exam will be announced later through an official notice.

The postponement affects thousands of students across Bangladesh who were preparing for the Fazil (Honours) examination under the university’s supervision. While the university did not specify the reason behind the delay, officials assured that the rescheduled date will be communicated promptly to minimize disruption. Students have been advised to monitor official channels for updates.

Education observers note that such postponements can impact academic calendars and student planning, especially during the year-end examination period. The university is expected to coordinate with affiliated colleges to ensure a smooth rescheduling process once the new date is finalized.

Dhaka University has postponed the 2025–2026 academic year undergraduate admission test for its science unit, originally scheduled for Saturday, due to a day of national mourning following the death of July revolutionary Sharif Osman Hadi. The university will observe the mourning day in line with the government’s declaration.

According to a statement signed by Acting Director of Public Relations Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the decision was made out of respect for Hadi, a former student of the university, and other July revolution participants who were martyred during the 2024 mass uprising. The university emphasized that holding an exam on a national mourning day would be inappropriate.

Officials said a new date for the postponed admission test will be announced soon. The observance reflects the university’s continued recognition of the contributions of former students involved in the July movement and the broader democratic struggles in Bangladesh.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former student Sharif Osman Hadi, who passed away while undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. In a condolence message issued on Thursday night, the Vice-Chancellor prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.

Professor Khan described Hadi’s death as an irreparable loss for the country and society, noting that his memory would remain alive among classmates, well-wishers, and all who knew him. The university community has expressed collective grief, recalling Hadi’s contributions as a dedicated and promising student.

The Vice-Chancellor’s statement reflects the broader sense of mourning within the Dhaka University fraternity, which often honors the legacy of its alumni who contribute to academic and social life. No details were immediately available regarding funeral arrangements or official university tributes.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Education has issued an urgent directive instructing all private schools and colleges to collect tuition fees strictly in accordance with the revised student admission policy. The notice, signed by Deputy Secretary Syed A.Z. Morshed Ali from the Secondary and Higher Education Division, emphasizes adherence to the updated 2026 academic year guidelines.

According to the circular, institutions must follow the 2024 Tuition Fee Policy schedules A, B, and C when determining and collecting fees. The revised admission policy for private schools and colleges, covering secondary, lower secondary, and attached primary levels, was officially published on November 19, 2025. The ministry’s directive aims to ensure transparency and uniformity in fee collection practices across private educational institutions.

Education officials said the move seeks to prevent arbitrary fee hikes and protect guardians from financial exploitation. Schools have been asked to implement the policy immediately and report compliance to the ministry. Monitoring mechanisms are expected to be strengthened ahead of the 2026 academic session.

The High Court of Bangladesh has suspended the government primary school scholarship examination process for one month after a writ petition questioned its legality. The bench, comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Asif Hasan, issued the order following a preliminary hearing on December 14, 2025. The Directorate of Primary Education had earlier announced the exam schedule on November 11, with tests set to begin on December 21.

The writ was filed by Md. Faruk Hossain, director of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School, along with two parents, arguing that the exam violated a previous High Court ruling from November 3. Petitioners’ lawyer Niaz Morshed alleged that the government changed the exam’s name to exclude private school students, effectively breaching the earlier judgment. Ministry sources confirmed that the exams will remain suspended while the writ is under judicial review.

The suspension affects thousands of government primary students who were preparing for subject-wise tests in Bangla, English, Mathematics, and Science. The court’s decision is expected to prompt a review of the exam’s structure and inclusivity before any rescheduling.

The Government of Bangladesh has successfully completed the printing and distribution of 100 percent of pre-primary and primary-level textbooks for the current academic year ahead of Victory Day. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) led the massive operation, marking one of the fastest and most comprehensive textbook deliveries in recent years.

According to a press release signed by Education Ministry spokesperson Khalid Mahmud, the achievement was made possible through coordinated efforts among printing houses, transport agencies, and NCTB officials. Over 850 million textbooks were printed and prepared before the academic year began, ensuring that all students from grades one to five will receive new books on time.

Officials described the completion as a milestone in Bangladesh’s education sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving primary education quality. The Education Ministry expressed hope that this timely delivery will enhance classroom readiness and strengthen the country’s education-friendly image globally.