Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) faces renewed uncertainty over timely distribution of secondary-level textbooks for the 2026 academic year. Despite initiating the tender process earlier than in previous years, delays caused by tender cancellations, re-approvals, and contract backlogs have slowed printing progress. While printing of grade six and nine books has begun, work for grades seven and eight has yet to start. Around 300 million textbooks are planned for printing this year, down from 400 million last year, with 180 million designated for secondary schools. NCTB officials claim 94% of primary-level books are printed and will be ready for distribution by January 1, but secondary-level printing may extend into December. Officials hope to finalize all contracts by November, though some press agreements remain pending, raising concerns that students may again face delays in receiving their books.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has revealed that it currently has no spare bearing pads for the metro rail pillars, raising safety concerns following the October 26 accident in Farmgate that killed pedestrian Abul Kalam when a pad fell from a pillar. Each of the 620 pillars has four pads, but none are available for replacement or functional testing. DMTCL Managing Director Faruk Ahmed said the issue arose because the contract documents did not specify the need for spare parts. Temporary safety measures have been taken, and 20 new pads are expected to arrive by January. The investigation committee’s tenure has been extended to November 15, with new experts added. DMTCL has also decided to employ Kalam’s widow as a computer operator and has provided his family with Tk 500,000 in initial compensation.

Bangladesh’s Education Ministry has assured that the transfer process for MPO-listed teachers recommended by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) will be implemented by January 2026. The assurance came during a meeting on November 10 between ministry officials and representatives of protesting teachers demanding swift action on their transfers. The meeting, lasting about one and a half hours, was attended by a seven-member delegation from the Bangladesh Teachers’ Transfer Aspirants Unity Alliance. The teachers expressed cautious optimism following the ministry’s commitment but warned of renewed protests if the promised timeline is not met. The ministry’s engagement marks a potential resolution to a long-standing demand among NTRCA-recommended teachers seeking workplace transfers.

Bangladesh’s Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has announced that admissions for the 2025 academic year in both government and private secondary schools will again be conducted through a digital lottery system. Applications will be accepted online from November 21 to December 5, with the lottery scheduled for December 14. Teletalk, the state-owned mobile operator, will provide technical support for the online process. Head teachers will upload vacancy information between November 12 and 19, and admission notices will be published from November 13 to 19. Selected students can complete admission from December 17 to 21, while two waiting lists will be used between December 22 and 30. The Education Ministry has yet to issue the final admission policy, but the process follows the pandemic-era system introduced in 2021.