Bangladesh is observing the International Day of Education 2026 today, Saturday, January 24. The United Nations General Assembly declared January 24 as the International Day of Education on December 3, 2018, recognizing education as the foundation of peace and development. Since then, the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU) and UNESCO Dhaka have jointly celebrated the day each year. This year’s global theme is “The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education.”

To mark the occasion, BNCU has organized a discussion and cultural program at 11 a.m. at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Education Adviser and BNCU Chairman Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar will attend as chief guest, with Rehana Parveen, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, as special guest, and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize as guest of honor. The event will be chaired by BNCU Deputy Secretary General Sabvina Monir Chithi.

Ahead of the celebration, a youth dialogue was held on January 20 at the same institute, where students from schools, colleges, madrasas, and universities shared their experiences and ideas on education.

After nearly 60 years of neglect, the Central Jame Mosque of Dhaka University has been renovated under the initiative of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu). The renovation was completed in response to long-standing student demands, and an inaugural prayer ceremony was held on Friday, January 23, following the completion of the work. The event was attended by advisers from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Railways, along with the university’s vice-chancellor and proctor.

According to university sources, no major renovation had taken place in the mosque’s 65-year history. The Daksu-led project included installation of a 110-ton air-conditioning system, improved lighting, two new ablution areas, new carpets, wall painting, expanded prayer space for female students, and a special access path for students with disabilities. The work was coordinated by elected Daksu members Anas Ibn Munir and Mazharul Islam, while donors requested anonymity.

Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem stated that the mosque is an integral part of the university’s cultural and religious heritage, and the renovation aims to provide a better environment for students’ spiritual activities.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Manzur Murshed Bhuiyan from the Department of Finance has been appointed as a new member of the Syndicate, the highest policy-making body of Jagannath University (JnU). The appointment, effective from January 22, 2026, will remain valid for two years. The university’s acting registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, confirmed the nomination on Friday through an official notice.

According to the notice, the appointment was made by the Vice-Chancellor under sections 17(1)(j) and (2) of the Jagannath University Act, 2005, following the 31st decision of the 76th meeting of the Academic Council. The Syndicate serves as the top administrative and academic decision-making council of the university.

The acting registrar requested Professor Bhuiyan to actively assist in the university’s administrative and academic operations. Professor Bhuiyan currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at Jagannath University.

National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah stated that around one million students graduate annually from the university, with about 40 percent facing frustration in the job market due to an outdated syllabus. He made the remarks on Thursday at a meeting with principals from colleges in Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban districts, held at Rangamati Government College.

He said that over the past five decades since independence, Bangladesh has failed to build effective links between education, research, and industry, leaving the country behind in the global technological race. To make higher education more employment-oriented, the university has begun curriculum reforms, making information technology and English compulsory subjects in undergraduate honors programs. The institution has also initiated collaborations with local and international universities and industries, supported by UNICEF and other organizations.

The Vice-Chancellor listened to the principals’ feedback and promised to incorporate their suggestions into the university’s plans. He emphasized that despite a large population, Bangladesh faces a shortage of skilled manpower due to insufficient investment in education compared to infrastructure development.

United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Scholastica to provide special educational opportunities for the children of UCB employees. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at 11 a.m. at UCB’s head office, where Syed Hasnain Mamun, Chief Human Resources Officer of UCB, and Madiha Murshed, Managing Director of Scholastica, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.

Senior officials from both institutions attended the event, including UCB’s Additional Managing Director Adnan Masud, Chief Communication Officer Zeeshan Kingshuk Haque, and Scholastica’s Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning Amer Ahmed. The partnership was described by both sides as a timely and effective step toward advancing education and human resource development.

Officials from UCB and Scholastica expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen mutual cooperation in the future, supporting broader educational and developmental goals.

An ordinance to establish 'Dhaka Central University' by merging seven government colleges in the capital has been approved by the advisory council. The decision was communicated on Thursday afternoon by Education Adviser Professor Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, who personally informed students over the phone. Around 2 p.m., students gathered in front of Dhaka College erupted in celebration upon hearing the news, chanting slogans in support of the new university.

The move follows years of unrest since the seven colleges were affiliated with Dhaka University in 2017 without prior preparation, leading to prolonged academic and administrative challenges. The colleges involved are Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Mohila College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul College, Government Bangla College, and Titumir College. Students from these institutions had long been demanding an independent, autonomous university.

With the advisory council’s approval, the government’s decision marks the end of a long-standing student movement and paves the way for the creation of a unified public university in Dhaka.

Jagannath University authorities have imposed a ban on the use of sound boxes, microphones, and other activities that disrupt academic and research work on campus. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026, through a notice signed by the university registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin. According to the notice, no sound systems, sports, or similar activities will be allowed on campus between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. as they may interfere with examinations, research, and the overall academic environment.

The notice further stated that any such activities outside the specified hours must receive prior approval from the university authorities. All department heads and relevant officials have been instructed to take necessary measures to ensure proper implementation of the directive.

The university administration emphasized that the restrictions aim to maintain a conducive academic atmosphere and prevent disturbances during regular educational operations.

Jagannath University has announced that all undergraduate and postgraduate classes will be conducted online from February 26 to March 9 in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. The decision was confirmed on January 22 by the university’s acting registrar, Professor Dr. Md. Sheikh Gias Uddin, following an official notice issued under his signature.

According to the notice, the decision was made based on the resolution of the university’s 76th Academic Council meeting held on January 15. The university administration stated that the move aims to accommodate students’ convenience and align with the Ramadan schedule.

During this period, all regular classes across undergraduate and postgraduate programs will continue online as per the council’s directive.

Allegations have surfaced that a syndicate led by an office assistant named Ilias has been leaking final exam questions for the Political Science department across seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University. Despite the gravity of the accusations and the emergence of credible evidence, the university administration has not yet formed an investigation committee even after 24 hours, prompting anger and frustration among students.

According to multiple reliable sources, the group has been secretly selling leaked questions from honors to master’s level exams for several years, distributing them to students three to four days before exams in exchange for money. Students expressed outrage, saying the scandal has severely damaged their institutions’ reputation and demanded immediate identification and punishment of those involved. They also called for an inquiry into whether anyone from Dhaka University itself is connected.

Interim administrator Professor A.K.M. Ilias confirmed that he had heard about the leak but said the probe committee would be formed the next day. Dhaka University’s controller of examinations, Himadri Shekhar Chakraborty, stated that necessary actions would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

Chittagong University has established the country’s first free legal aid cell to provide students with complimentary legal advice and assistance. The initiative, launched on Tuesday evening at the vice chancellor’s conference room, was organized by the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU). The inauguration ceremony was attended by the university’s Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin as chief guest, along with Registrar (Acting) Professor Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam, ChakSU leaders, and several lawyers from the Supreme Court and Chittagong Judge Court.

The legal aid cell includes senior lawyers such as Barrister Belayet Hossain, Deputy Attorney General Barrister Osman Chowdhury, and Assistant Attorney General Advocate Tarikul Islam, among others. A total of 20 lawyers from the Supreme Court and Chittagong Judge Court will be associated with the cell. Professor Kamal Uddin stated that the initiative will set a national example by ensuring free legal services for students and empowering them to stand against injustice and discrimination. ChakSU leaders emphasized that the project fulfills a key election pledge and reflects their commitment to sustainable student welfare.

The initiative is expected to make legal support more accessible to students and inspire similar programs at other universities.

The Bangladesh government has approved a 70-day holiday schedule for all government Alia madrasas and private Ebtedayee, Dakhil, Alim, Fazil, and Kamil madrasas for the 2026 academic year. The decision was announced on January 20, 2026, through a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Rahat Manna of the Technical and Madrasa Education Division. The holidays include religious and national observances such as Ramadan, Shaheed Dibas, International Mother Language Day, Shab-e-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Independence Day, covering nearly one month of closure. Fridays and Saturdays are excluded from the holiday count.

The circular details specific dates for holidays throughout the year, including Shab-e-Miraj on January 17, Shab-e-Barat on February 4–5, and a long break from February 15 to March 26. Additional holidays include Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation from May 24 to June 11, Durga Puja from October 20 to 22, and winter vacation from December 13 to 24. Three reserve days are allotted for institution heads. Haor region madrasas may adjust up to ten extra days during the Boro harvest season.

The academic calendar also sets examination dates, with half-yearly exams from June 25 to July 15, Dakhil selection exams from October 11 to November 10, and annual and Alim selection exams from November 19 to December 10.

Dhaka University has published the admission test results for the Arts, Law and Social Science Unit of the 2025–26 academic year. The announcement was made on Tuesday after 4:30 p.m. through a notice on the university’s admission website. This year, 107,712 students applied for 2,934 available seats, and 103,611 took part in the exam. A total of 7,553 students passed, including 4,109 from the humanities stream, 2,981 from science, and 463 from business studies. The overall pass rate stood at 7.29 percent, while results of five candidates were canceled.

Md. Shahriar Shimul topped the humanities stream, Rifat Al Rafi led the science stream, and Md. Abir Ahmed Rohan ranked first in business studies. Successful candidates can fill out detailed and subject preference forms from January 27 to February 5. Quota applicants may collect and submit their forms between February 1 and 5 at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Students seeking re-evaluation can apply with a fee from January 21 to 27. Results are available at admission.eis.du.ac.bd or via SMS through Grameenphone, Banglalink, or Teletalk numbers.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has released the final schedule for the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations. According to the announcement published on January 20, the nationwide exams will begin on April 21 and continue until May 20. The schedule was made available through the board’s website and various media outlets. Alongside the schedule, the board issued 14 mandatory instructions for all examinees.

The directives include arriving at the exam hall 30 minutes before the start, following the time mentioned on the question paper, and completing multiple-choice and creative sections consecutively without breaks. Students must collect admit cards at least seven days before the exam and correctly fill in their OMR forms without folding them. The use of board-approved calculators is allowed, but mobile phones are prohibited except for the center secretary. Practical exams will be held at respective centers, and re-scrutiny applications must be submitted online within seven days of result publication.

The board emphasized that students must pass separately in theoretical, multiple-choice, and practical parts, and institutions are responsible for timely distribution of admit cards and submission of continuous assessment marks.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) has addressed widespread confusion on social media regarding the publication of results for the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment written examination. Officials stated that rumors about result cancellation or indefinite delay are baseless. A.K. Shamsul Ahsan, Director of the Policy and Operation Division, said on Monday night that no directive had been received from the Election Commission or the government, but efforts were underway to release the results as soon as possible.

The written examination was held on January 9 across 61 districts for 14,385 vacant posts, with over 1.08 million candidates participating. Prior to the exam, allegations of question leaks circulated online, and some individuals shared purported leaked questions on Facebook. A group known as the “device party” allegedly offered cheating assistance using electronic devices in exchange for money.

Authorities detained 207 candidates for using such devices during the exam, including 53 in Gaibandha, 18 in Naogaon, 18 in Dinajpur, 16 in Kurigram, and two in Rangpur. The DPE confirmed that results will be published once evaluation is complete.

The National Moon Sighting Committee of Bangladesh announced on Monday that the moon for the holy month of Shaban, 1447 Hijri, was not sighted anywhere in the country. As a result, the month of Rajab will complete 30 days on Tuesday, and the counting of Shaban will begin on Wednesday. Accordingly, the holy night of Shab-e-Barat will be observed across the country on the night of February 3.

The decision was made at a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee held at the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md. Kamal Uddin. The Islamic Foundation stated in a press release that the committee reached its decision after reviewing information from district administrations, the Islamic Foundation’s offices, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and the Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO).

Senior officials from various government and religious institutions attended the meeting, including representatives from the Cabinet Division, Bangladesh Television, and Islamic educational institutions.