Public Administration Adviser Md. Ismail Jobiullah has called on parents to prepare their children to become global citizens and humane individuals rather than focusing solely on making them doctors or engineers. He made the remarks on Friday in Dhaka while inaugurating the upazila-based Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing program organized by the Educational Excellence Support Scheme (EESS) and hosted by Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

The adviser said the BNP government has taken several initiatives to develop students’ talents, including the Nokhonkuri cultural and sports programs. The new Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing competition continues that effort. He emphasized that every child has unique talents and that the state has a duty to identify and nurture them. Referring to the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, he said current Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is creating new opportunities for youth development.

He urged teachers to encourage curiosity and entrepreneurship among students, evaluate them by their individuality, and help them think critically and independently rather than following blindly.

A total of 52,491 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home after performing the Hajj, according to the latest bulletin from the Ministry of Religious Affairs released early Thursday. The return flights were operated by several airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying 21,920 pilgrims, Saudia Airlines transporting 18,880, and Flynas Airlines carrying 8,380. Another 3,311 pilgrims returned through other airlines.

The bulletin confirmed that 49 Bangladeshi pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj, including 33 men and 16 women. Of them, 35 died in Makkah, 13 in Madinah, and one in Jeddah. Additionally, 410 Bangladeshi pilgrims received medical treatment in various hospitals in Saudi Arabia, with 24 still under care in facilities such as Saudi National Hospital, King Abdul Aziz Hospital, and Makkah Medical Center.

This year’s Hajj took place on May 26, with more than 1.7 million pilgrims from around the world participating. From Bangladesh, 4,565 pilgrims traveled under government management and 73,935 under private arrangements. Return flights began on May 30 and will continue until June 30.

Thakurgaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Israfil Shaheen announced that the institution will work to achieve international standards in education. He emphasized ensuring transparency in teacher recruitment and all administrative activities, along with planned and accountable infrastructural development. Dr. Shaheen made these remarks on Thursday while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the Ranisankail Press Club.

The meeting, presided over by Press Club President Ashraful Alam, was attended by local educators, political leaders, and journalists. Dr. Shaheen highlighted that building a quality university is not solely the administration’s responsibility and called for cooperation and constructive advice from all sectors of society, including the media. Several participants, including former college principals and political figures, also spoke at the event.

Journalists present at the meeting offered various suggestions for improving the newly established university’s overall development and educational quality. The Vice-Chancellor assured that their recommendations would be considered seriously.

The life, work, martyrdom, and legacy of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi will be included in Bangladesh’s school textbooks starting from the 2028 academic year. The decision was made at a meeting of the National Curriculum and Textbook Revision Committee held at the Ministry of Education, attended by officials including Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khalek.

According to meeting sources, several significant updates are planned for upcoming textbooks. As part of these changes, new lessons based on writings by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman titled “A Nation’s Birth” and “Memories of the Liberation War” will be added to the Bangla literature books for grades nine and ten. Additionally, Hadi’s heroism during the July uprising will be presented to students through his inclusion in the curriculum.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) stated that Hadi’s story will appear in the fifth-grade Bangla book’s chapter “We Will Not Forget You,” alongside national heroes such as Titumir, Pritilata Waddedar, Noor Hossain, Abu Sayeed, and Mir Mughda.

Bangladesh’s Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha has received the UNESCO Confucius Literacy Prize 2025 for its solar-powered floating school initiative in the Chalan Beel region. The award ceremony, organized by UNESCO Dhaka, took place at the Holiday Inn Dhaka City Centre on June 11, 2026. The event was attended by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj as chief guest, along with senior education officials and representatives from UNESCO.

The floating school project provides education to children in remote wetland areas where regular schooling is difficult, especially during the monsoon. Each boat is equipped with solar power and serves as a classroom, library, computer lab, or training center. Currently, Shidhulai operates 56 boats, including 26 classrooms and 10 libraries. The initiative was recognized for its innovative approach to literacy and inclusion in geographically challenged communities.

UNESCO’s representative in Bangladesh, Dr. Susan Vize, emphasized the transformative role of literacy in enabling informed decision-making and social participation. The recognition highlights the importance of locally driven, sustainable education solutions in climate-vulnerable regions.

A college teacher in Sunamganj has alleged that she was dismissed after highlighting discrimination in the allocation of coaching classes within her institution. On June 10, 2026, at a press conference in Sunamganj municipal auditorium, Hasina Hasnat, a lecturer in the Bangla department of Alhaj Jamsed-Ashia College in Betganj Bazar, claimed she lost her job for pointing out irregularities in a college WhatsApp group. She said she was prevented from taking classes on May 5 under the instruction of the acting principal, without being given any notice or chance to defend herself.

Hasnat stated that the college, built through local efforts, is now suffering from irregularities, lack of transparency, and unilateral decisions that are damaging its educational environment and reducing student enrollment. She urged authorities to investigate the matter impartially and ensure justice.

Acting Principal Ali Ahmad responded that the teacher faced allegations of grouping and misconduct, adding that the college operates with part-time teachers and lacks formal recruitment procedures.

Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has announced new traffic management measures on the Dhaka–Sylhet highway to reduce congestion and public suffering caused by ongoing repair and construction work between Humayun Rashid Chattar and Chandipul. The special traffic instructions will take effect from June 12, according to a public notice issued on Wednesday.

Under the new system, all Dhaka-bound vehicles from Sylhet will use a one-way route from Humayun Rashid Chattar to Chandipul to ensure smoother traffic flow. Vehicles entering Sylhet from Dhaka and southern regions will turn left at Chandipul to use Bangabir Road and then proceed to their respective bus terminals in Kadamtali. The arrangement aims to ease vehicle pressure and maintain normal traffic speed during the construction period.

The notice also prohibits illegal structures and parking on key points including Humayun Rashid Chattar, Chandipul, Babna Point, the southern side of Keane Bridge, and near Kadamtali bus terminal. Authorities warned that legal action will be taken against violators and urged all citizens, transport owners, and drivers to comply with the new directives for public interest.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Primary and Mass Education, Boby Hajjaj, announced that four new subjects—music, drama, dance, and fine arts—will be added to the primary school curriculum. Starting in 2027, a new textbook titled ‘Art and Culture’ will be introduced for fourth-grade students, and by 2028, these subjects will be fully integrated into the national primary education curriculum. The announcement was made during a ministry meeting attended by university faculty members and senior officials.

According to the ministry, the initiative aligns with the government’s educational philosophy of developing students as global citizens equipped with essential life and career skills. The inclusion of arts and culture is expected to play a key role in students’ holistic development. The expansion of arts and sports-based education will also create a significant demand for specialized teachers and trainers.

The ministry estimates that around 50,000 to 60,000 new jobs could be generated in the next five years. Discussions are underway to align university curricula with teacher training programs to prepare graduates for teaching roles in primary schools.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has announced plans to create a permanent stakeholder dialogue platform aimed at identifying and resolving academic and administrative challenges in the country’s universities. The initiative was revealed by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed during a meeting held at the UGC office in Agargaon, Dhaka. The meeting was attended by vice-chancellors from public and private universities under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project.

According to Dr. Ahmed, the platform will facilitate regular discussions among teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders to promote collaboration and experience sharing across universities. He emphasized that the initiative will strengthen professional relationships among faculty members and improve institutional efficiency. The meeting also discussed introducing continuous training programs for university teachers, including management training for senior faculty and foundational training for new teachers.

The UGC plans to link training with promotions and develop a pool of local and international trainers. These programs will be implemented under the HEAT project through residential and hybrid formats, aligning with the government’s strategic vision for transforming higher education.

A relief train derailed while attempting to rescue the Dhaka-bound Brahmaputra Express after one of its power car coaches went off the tracks in Mymensingh city’s Itakhola area on Wednesday morning. The incident caused a complete suspension of train movement on the Mymensingh–Dewanganj route for about five and a half hours before services were restored on the Dhaka–Mymensingh–Jamalpur line.

According to railway officials, the relief train from Kewatkhali Locoshed also derailed near Baghmara rail crossing, complicating the rescue operation. A hydraulic tool van was later deployed to complete the recovery. After nearly five hours of effort, the derailed power car was retrieved, and damaged rail tracks and a culvert were repaired before train operations resumed around 2 p.m.

Railway authorities have declared the accident site a “dead trap zone” as a precaution and formed a five-member investigation committee led by Traffic Inspector Mujibur Rahman. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within three working days.

A major humanitarian initiative has been launched in Cumilla, where local residents have voluntarily donated land worth hundreds of millions of taka to build a cemetery, hafizkhana, and old age home. On June 5, in the presence of the district council and city corporation administrators, residents Nasir Khan Munna, Mohon Khan, Professor Faruk Ahmed, and Ifthekhar Khan announced the donation of 300 shatak of land in the Ashoktala area of Cumilla city.

Nasir Khan Munna, chairman of Jenis Group, and his brother Mohon Khan, along with developer Professor Faruk Ahmed and local resident Ifthekhar Khan, decided to donate the land after discussing the shortage of burial spaces in the city. The city corporation administrator, Yusuf Molla Tipu, pledged support for boundary walls, land filling, and road construction, while district council administrator Mostak Mia promised assistance with building infrastructure.

According to Professor Faruk Ahmed, the project will begin with a public cemetery and gradually include facilities such as washing areas for the deceased, ablution and toilet facilities, prayer space, a residential hafizkhana, mosque, madrasa, and a 50-bed old age home for both men and women.

Rail communication between Jamalpur and Dhaka was suspended after a coach of the intercity Brahmaputra Express derailed near the College Road rail crossing in Mymensingh city on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m., leaving several trains stranded on the route and causing severe inconvenience to passengers. Railway authorities immediately launched rescue operations and dispatched a relief train to the site to restore normal service.

According to railway officials, the Brahmaputra Express had departed from Dewanganj in Jamalpur for Dhaka when one of its coaches derailed upon reaching Mymensingh. Police confirmed that no casualties had been reported so far, though the condition of the rail track was being examined. The derailment disrupted train movement on the Jamalpur-Dhaka route, prompting passengers to seek alternative transport options.

Authorities assured that efforts were underway to lift the derailed coach and resume train operations as soon as possible. An investigation will follow to determine the cause of the derailment once recovery work is completed.

The main gate area of Bonarpara Railway Junction Station in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila has been overtaken by auto-rickshaws and vans, creating severe difficulties for passengers. Due to the random parking of these vehicles, the station’s main entrance often remains blocked, forcing travelers to struggle to enter or exit the station. Several passengers reported delays and near misses with train schedules because of the congestion.

According to local residents and passengers, people from Saghata, Gobindaganj, and Fulchhari upazilas regularly use the station to travel to Dhaka and other destinations, as five intercity trains stop there daily. The station’s main gate was recently rebuilt to improve passenger convenience, but the area remains occupied by auto-rickshaw and van drivers for most of the day, worsening the situation during train arrivals.

Station Master Pradip Chandra stated that efforts are ongoing to ease passenger suffering, while Bonarpara Railway Junction Police Officer-in-Charge Kamal Uddin assured that measures will be taken to reduce the inconvenience.

Several airlines and service companies operating at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport are failing to comply with the mandatory radar-based Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) requirement for vehicles in the airside area, creating safety risks for aircraft movements. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has issued repeated directives, most recently on May 20, instructing all operators to complete installation and submit necessary documentation by June 15. Despite earlier deadlines, most organizations have not implemented the system.

CAAB officials explained that the VTS is designed to centrally monitor the position, speed, and route of vehicles on runways, taxiways, and aprons. The system would allow immediate alerts if a vehicle deviates from its route or enters restricted zones. Aviation experts and CAAB members emphasized that such technology is standard in modern airports and essential for preventing ground accidents.

Past incidents, including collisions involving ground vehicles and aircraft, have highlighted the risks of inadequate monitoring. CAAB has already procured 80 vehicle trackers and plans to expand coverage to ensure full integration with the airport’s advanced surface movement control system.

Education Minister Ehchanul Haque Milon announced that the government is restructuring Bangladesh’s education system, with a completely new curriculum to be introduced in 2028. He said at a press conference in Dhaka that textbooks for the next academic year are being printed with necessary revisions, while full curriculum reform is underway. The minister also mentioned plans to publish a white paper on corruption within the Education Ministry.

Prime Minister’s Education Adviser Mahdi Amin stated that four new textbooks will be added to primary and secondary levels from the next academic year, including subjects on sports, culture, technical education, and learning with happiness. He emphasized that the reforms align with the BNP’s election manifesto, aiming to promote creativity, moral education, and employable skills among students.

The minister further confirmed that the 2027 SSC exams are scheduled to begin on January 7 and end on February 8, with results for the current year’s SSC exams to be released on July 20. Additionally, the Primary Education Directorate’s Gold Cup football tournament final will be held on June 20 at the National Army Stadium.