The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued a directive mandating that all government and non-government secondary schools conduct their annual, selection, and junior scholarship examinations within the scheduled dates. According to the circular signed by Professor Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, the annual exams will run from November 20 to December 7, while the selection exams will take place from November 27 to December 11. Additionally, the junior scholarship exams are set to be held nationwide from December 28 to 31 across all lower secondary, secondary, and school-and-college institutions. The DSHE emphasized that any deviation, negligence, or irregularity by teachers or officials in conducting these examinations will result in disciplinary action. The directive aims to ensure uniformity, discipline, and transparency in the examination process throughout the country.

Hundreds of higher secondary students from Dhaka College blocked the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka on Monday morning, protesting the proposed schooling model under the planned Dhaka Central University. The government recently decided to merge seven prominent government colleges into a new public university to reduce administrative complexity and ease pressure on Dhaka University. However, students argue that the move threatens the long-standing identity, tradition, and autonomy of their institutions. They claim the decision was made without consulting students or stakeholders and fear that the new structure could worsen teacher shortages and infrastructure issues. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already drafted an ordinance outlining the new university’s interdisciplinary structure, which would include higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The protesting students demand that the new system be based on affiliated institutions rather than a centralized schooling model.

Prominent Bangladeshi agriculturist and Group QA chairman Kazi A.F.M. Joynul Abedin passed away on Sunday, November 30, at 3:30 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He died of age-related complications. Abedin was widely respected for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to both the agricultural sector and business development in Bangladesh. The Group QA family expressed deep sorrow at his passing, describing him as a mentor and guardian whose guidance shaped the organization’s growth. His death marks an irreparable loss for his family, colleagues, and the wider agricultural community. Prayers have been offered for the forgiveness of his shortcomings and for eternal peace in the afterlife, as well as for strength and patience for his bereaved family during this difficult time.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) in Bangladesh has issued a stern warning to government primary school teachers who are currently on a continuous work stoppage demanding fulfillment of three key demands. Despite the strike, the DPE has directed all concerned officials to ensure that the third term or annual examinations, scheduled to begin on December 1, proceed smoothly and on time. A circular signed by Director (Policy and Operation) A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan was sent to all divisional deputy directors and district primary education officers. The directive emphasized that any negligence, irregularity, or disruption in conducting the exams will result in disciplinary action as per regulations. The teachers, however, have announced their decision to boycott the examinations as part of their ongoing protest, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the academic calendar.

The Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association has declared a full-day work stoppage starting Monday, December 1, after the government failed to meet their four-point demand. The teachers announced they will boycott ongoing annual and SSC preparatory exams and suspend answer script evaluation, raising concerns about disruption in secondary education. Their demands include incorporating assistant teachers into the BCS (General Education) cadre, filling vacant posts and ensuring promotions, implementing Supreme Court rulings on pending time scale and selection grade benefits, and restoring pre-2015 salary increments for assistant teachers. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, no resolution was reached after a two-day sit-in at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. Teacher leaders warned that if their demands are met, they will conduct remaining exams on weekends and publish results within December; otherwise, they will decide on further actions next Wednesday.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has announced that the digital lottery for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private schools will be held on December 11. Online applications began on November 21 and will remain open until 5 p.m. on December 5. A total of 4,048 schools—688 government and 3,360 private—are participating in the 2026 academic year admission process. There are 1,193,281 available seats, including 121,030 in government schools and 1,072,251 in private institutions. As of November 25, 260,244 students applied for government school seats, while 98,762 applied for private school seats. The lottery will determine which applicants are eligible for admission, ensuring a transparent and technology-driven selection process.

Bangladesh is intensifying efforts to build a fully cashless economy by July 2027 through digital payment expansion and cost reduction. According to Md. Omar Faruk Khan, initiatives include upgrading digital platforms such as Selfin, iBanking, and MCash, which now support interoperable transactions across mobile financial services without cash-out. Partnerships with Mastercard have enabled several educational institutions to become fully cashless campuses using Bangla QR. Inspired by models from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is adapting foreign experiences to local realities, focusing on interoperability and low-cost peer-to-peer transfers. The central bank has capped transaction fees, allowing providers to reduce or waive charges. To ensure reliability, the bank has launched Selfin Echo, the country’s first generative AI-powered voice assistant for banking services. Despite progress, challenges remain in network reliability, cybersecurity, and system scalability during peak transaction periods. The overall goal is to make digital transactions easier, faster, and more affordable for all citizens.

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education in Bangladesh has announced plans to provide special allowances to teachers and education officers working in remote areas such as haor, char, and hilly regions. Adviser Dr. Professor Bidhan Ranjan Poddar stated that the initiative aims to improve the quality of primary education across the country. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Bhola on November 29, he also confirmed that new textbooks will be distributed to students at the beginning of the academic year. Additionally, schools designated as polling centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will undergo necessary renovations. Addressing the ongoing movement for the 11th grade pay scale by assistant teachers, Dr. Poddar assured that their demands will be implemented soon. The meeting was chaired by Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Ahmed and attended by senior officials from the Directorate of Primary Education and the ministry.

A 60-year-old devotee named Ashraf Ali died early Saturday morning after suffering a stroke at the five-day Jor Ijtema being held on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur. He was a resident of Kendua village in Jamalpur Sadar and the son of Abdul Hakim. According to Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh Shura Nezam, Ashraf Ali was staying with his group in their designated area when he was found unresponsive at dawn. Fellow devotees took him to Tongi Government Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. This marks the third death reported during the ongoing Jor Ijtema, which is scheduled to conclude with the Akheri Munajat (final prayer) on December 2.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized that today’s students represent the future leadership of Bangladesh during the first convocation of North Pacific International University of Bangladesh (NPIUB) held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Representing the President, she praised the university’s efforts to make higher education accessible to rural youth at low cost and highlighted Manikganj’s intellectual heritage, mentioning figures like language martyr Rafique and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Akhter noted that many rural women rear livestock to fund their children’s education, underscoring the importance of higher education. She also appreciated the university’s evening courses for working professionals and urged recognition of rural talent. The ceremony awarded degrees to 467 graduates and honored outstanding students with various awards, including Chancellor’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards. Distinguished guests such as Dr. Valerie Ann Taylor and Professor Dr. Mohammad Kaykobad also addressed the event.

The University of Dhaka has officially begun its 2025–26 undergraduate admission process with the Business Administration Institute (IBA) entry test held on Friday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. According to the university’s admission website, the Fine Arts Unit test will be held on November 29, the Business Studies Unit on December 6, the Arts, Law, and Social Science Unit on December 13, and the Science Unit on December 20. The application process started on October 29 and closed on November 19 at 11:59 p.m. This year, a total of 6,125 seats are available across five units. The IBA unit alone has 120 seats, for which more than 11,000 candidates have applied, indicating intense competition. Admission test admit cards have already been issued to eligible applicants.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) in Bangladesh has announced that the first phase of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam is expected to be held in the first week of January next year. Preparations are underway to conduct the written test simultaneously across six divisions—Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur—on either January 2 or 3. DPE Director (Policy and Operation) A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan confirmed that district primary education officers have been instructed to finalize seating arrangements and other logistics promptly. The first phase recruitment circular, published on November 5, invited applications for 10,219 assistant teacher posts between November 8 and 21. A second phase, covering 4,166 posts in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, was announced on November 12, with applications closing on November 28. The DPE is expected to officially confirm the final exam date soon.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has published the results of the 46th BCS written examination, with 4,042 candidates declared successful. The results were announced on Thursday night, November 27, through a notice on the PSC website. A total of 3,140 positions will be filled under this BCS, with the highest number of recruits in the health cadre—1,682 assistant surgeons and 16 assistant dental surgeons. Additionally, 920 candidates will be appointed in the education cadre, while other allocations include 274 in administration, 10 in foreign affairs, 80 in police, 14 in Ansar, 49 in family planning, 26 in fisheries, and 65 in public works. Earlier, the PSC released the non-cadre results of the 45th BCS, recommending 545 candidates for temporary appointments. The final results of the 45th BCS were also published, recommending 1,807 candidates for various cadres. On the same day, the PSC issued the circular for the 50th BCS, offering 2,150 posts in health and administration.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has announced that the current Bangla First Paper syllabus for classes XI and XII, used in the 2024–25 academic year, will remain in effect for the 2025–26 session. According to an official circular issued on Wednesday, November 26, the existing syllabus will continue to apply until new instructions are issued. The directive has been sent to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, the Directorate of Madrasa Education, the Directorate of Technical Education, the Technical and Madrasa Education Division, the Dhaka Education Board, the Bangladesh Technical Education Board, and the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board. The decision aims to ensure consistency and stability in the higher secondary curriculum while the NCTB continues its broader curriculum reform initiatives.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) has released the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination, introducing significant changes to the preliminary question pattern. Applications will open on December 4 and continue until December 31, with fee payment allowed until January 3. The preliminary exam is scheduled for January 30, 2026, followed by written tests from April 9 and oral exams from August 10. Under the new marks distribution, the weight for Bangla, English, and Bangladesh Affairs has been reduced by five marks each, while International Affairs, Mathematical Reasoning, and Ethics and Values have seen a five-mark increase. The new structure allocates 30 marks each for Bangla and English, 25 each for Bangladesh and International Affairs, 20 for Mathematical Reasoning, and 15 each for General Science, ICT, Mental Skills, and Ethics. Geography, Environment, and Disaster Management remain at 10 marks. A total of 1,755 cadre positions, including 650 in health, and 395 non-cadre posts will be filled.