Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Bogura on April 20 for a one-day official trip. According to the itinerary, he will arrive at the Bogura District Police Lines helipad by helicopter from Tejgaon Airport in the morning. At 10:45 a.m., he will inaugurate the e-Bail Bond program at the District and Sessions Judge Court premises. At 11 a.m., he will officially announce the inauguration of the Bogura City Corporation.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will attend a program at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Degree College field to launch the Family Card distribution initiative and inaugurate the excavation project at Chowkirdah Canal in Bagbari Nashipur. In the afternoon, he will visit Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Village Hospital and spend time at the ancestral home of the late President Ziaur Rahman. After prayers and a break at the Bogura Circuit House, he will depart for Dhaka at 4 p.m.

The visit has generated significant enthusiasm across northern Bangladesh, with local authorities implementing extensive security measures. Senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Office will accompany him on this official tour.

An opinion piece by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Halim Chowdhury, published on April 13, 2026, highlights the gap between teacher training programs in Bangladesh and their actual impact on classroom teaching. Despite the existence of PTI, B.Ed, M.Ed, and HSTTI courses from primary to higher secondary levels, the article argues that these programs often fail to produce meaningful changes in teaching quality. The author notes that teachers obtain certificates but show limited improvement in classroom performance.

The article identifies several structural issues, including outdated syllabuses, lack of practical application, and questionable evaluation practices. It points out that training content is often centrally designed without reflecting ground realities, and practical components are reduced to formalities. Problems such as favoritism in grading, ethical lapses, and a focus on financial benefits rather than professional growth further weaken the system. International organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank are cited as emphasizing the importance of effective teacher training.

To address these challenges, the author recommends revising syllabuses with grassroots input, strengthening research-based training, ensuring transparency in evaluation, monitoring post-training teaching, and linking incentives to performance.

The Ministry of Education has directed the preparation of a list of retired and physically capable teachers to strengthen classroom teaching activities across all educational institutions in Bangladesh. The directive, issued through a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Shirin Akter of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, was sent to all district commissioners, upazila executive officers, and the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.

According to the letter, teaching activities in non-government educational institutions have been disrupted due to a shortage of teachers and delays in recruitment by the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA). To address this, district commissioners have been asked to form upazila-based pools of retired teachers who are physically capable of teaching.

The ministry instructed that, with the advice of upazila executive officers and approval from managing committees, governing bodies, or ad hoc committees, institutions may temporarily appoint teachers from these pools. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has been requested to issue necessary guidance on covering honorarium expenses from the institutions’ essential funds.

Tangail is witnessing extensive preparations ahead of Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s visit. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Tangail tomorrow, April 14, to inaugurate the nationwide farmer card distribution program on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh. According to the itinerary, he will first pay respects at the mausoleum of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani before attending the main event at the district stadium, where he will distribute farmer cards and address a farmers’ gathering. Later, he will inaugurate an agricultural fair at the municipal ground.

Excitement has spread among BNP leaders, activists, and local residents eager to welcome their leader. The city has been cleaned and decorated, and stage construction at the stadium is nearly complete. Roads and infrastructure have been repaired, including a 40-kilometer stretch from Mirzapur’s Gorai to the city bypass. Security measures have been intensified, with a four-tier protection system in place around the event area.

Officials said all administrative preparations are complete, and the event is expected to highlight the government’s focus on supporting farmers through the new card initiative.

Authorities in Narayanganj have announced the start of an eviction drive from Monday to remove illegal occupiers and hawkers from the BB Road footpath. The initiative aims to reduce long-standing traffic congestion and restore pedestrian movement across the city. The decision was formally communicated through an administrative notice confirming that the operation begins on April 13, 2026.

According to the notice, BB Road’s footpath has become nearly unusable due to hawkers and encroachers, severely disrupting pedestrian and vehicular movement. The decision to launch the eviction drive was taken unanimously at a high-level meeting held on April 5, attended by Narayanganj-5 Member of Parliament Abul Kalam, City Corporation Administrator Sakhawat Hossain Khan, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, and the RAB-11 commander.

The operation will be led by MP Abul Kalam and Administrator Sakhawat Hossain Khan under the City Corporation’s initiative. Mobile courts from the district administration will operate simultaneously to take immediate legal action against violators.

Dhaka University celebrated the Biju-Baisu-Sangrai-Bishu-Changkran-Sangkrain-Bihu-Baisu festival, the main social festival of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with colorful events on Sunday. Organized by the university’s Jum Literature and Cultural Council under the theme “Let our rights be enriched in the weave of festivals,” the program included floral tributes, a vibrant rally, and the serving of traditional ‘pajon’. The event was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and chaired by the organization’s joint general secretary, Shantimoy Chakma.

Special guests included Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Pal, Dhaka University Hill Alumni Association General Secretary Kriti Nishan Chakma, and Jagannath Hall Students’ Union General Secretary Sudipta Pramanik. In her speech, Professor Bidisha said the presence of indigenous students from hills and plains enriches the university’s diversity and beauty, and she assured consideration of a holiday for the festival in the future. Other speakers also expressed support for granting holidays during the festival period.

Students from Dhaka University and other institutions in the capital, along with their families, participated enthusiastically, making the daylong celebration joyful and inclusive.

The Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) held a public hearing in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar with over a hundred male and female microcredit clients. Organized jointly by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) and COAST Foundation on April 12, the event allowed rural participants to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations related to microcredit. MRA’s Executive Vice Chairman Professor Dr. Mohammad Helal Uddin attended as chief guest, emphasizing proper fund utilization and institutional capacity building.

Participants raised issues such as high service charges, lack of safe drinking water, and the need for grants for injured or affected members. They also discussed expanding employment opportunities for women and in the tourism sector to boost the local economy. COAST and YPSA representatives highlighted ongoing training programs and joint efforts to address water scarcity.

Dr. Helal Uddin noted that regulatory reforms and concessional funding are being pursued to strengthen microcredit institutions. He added that new tourism demand following the railway expansion could create local employment through professional training.

Employees of the West Zone Power Distribution Company (Ozopadico) highlighted severe deprivation and unfair wages during a press conference held at Khulna Press Club on Sunday. Organizational leaders warned that if the current situation continues, the quality of electricity service will deteriorate and employees’ livelihoods will be at risk. They demanded fair wages, immediate recruitment to fill vacant posts, and an end to outsourcing.

According to the written statement by the organization’s general secretary, Ozopadico serves 1,728,316 customers through 10,786 kilometers of distribution lines and 97 substations, with only 440 officers and 964 workers. Each employee currently serves an average of 1,792 customers, causing excessive workload and declining service quality. The shortage of substation operators (SBA) was identified as a critical issue, with 119 of 344 positions vacant and further retirements expected by 2027.

The employees alleged that despite working 8 to 16 extra hours daily, they are not paid for 21,360 monthly overtime hours. They also claimed that recruitment notices issued in 2025 remain unimplemented and that outsourcing violates decent work principles. The organization warned of strong protests if their demands are not met.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping, Sheikh Robiul Alam, has expressed optimism about potential US investment and technical assistance in the country’s transport sector. During a courtesy meeting at the Secretariat on Sunday, US Ambassador to Dhaka Brent T. Christensen reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening mutual cooperation, increasing investment, and sharing technological expertise to advance Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure. The meeting also discussed ongoing development projects and future collaboration opportunities, attended by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Ziaul Haque.

The minister said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, is working tirelessly to modernize and ensure sustainable and safe transport systems. The US ambassador emphasized that his country would continue supporting road safety, modern transport systems, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Separately, a delegation from Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) met the minister to discuss road safety, accident prevention, and public awareness. The minister highlighted government initiatives to reduce accidents and stressed the importance of citizen awareness and social movements in ensuring safer roads.

Chief Whip Md. Nurul Islam announced that the Bangladesh Parliament has set a record by passing 117 bills within five days. He made the statement while briefing journalists at the National Parliament Building after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha and Md. Mahmudul Haque Rubel. He emphasized that democracy is built on mutual trust between the ruling and opposition parties.

The Chief Whip explained that a special committee comprising both ruling and opposition members reviewed 133 ordinances. After detailed scrutiny, 16 ordinances were identified for amendment, while 117 were passed as bills within five days. He described the achievement as unprecedented in the country’s history and credited the Parliament Secretariat and BG Press staff for their tireless work. He also expressed disappointment that opposition members walked out over minor amendments but acknowledged that walkouts are part of democratic practice.

He further mentioned that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has allocated an additional 360 billion taka in subsidies to address the energy crisis, stressing that national resources should serve public welfare rather than be siphoned abroad.

A total of 74 women candidates from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have collected nomination papers from the Election Commission (EC) to contest in the reserved women’s seats of the 13th National Parliament. The nomination papers were collected on Sunday from the office of Assistant Returning Officer Monir Hossain at the Election Building in Agargaon. According to the EC’s list, 199 women have collected nomination papers over three days, all of whom are BNP candidates.

The BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan has been selling nomination forms for three days, with the final day of collection and submission being today. Party sources said that 1,025 nomination forms were sold over the first two days, each priced at 2,000 taka, with a 50,000 taka security deposit required upon submission. The EC announced the election schedule on Wednesday, setting April 21 as the last date for submission of nomination papers.

Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 22 and 23, appeals may be filed on April 26, and the final withdrawal date is April 29. Symbols will be allocated on April 30, and voting is scheduled for May 12.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj announced that Bangladesh’s new education vision will emphasize skill enhancement and career development. He said this during a seminar titled “The Role of Teachers and the State in Improving Education Quality,” held at the Tarabo Municipal Auditorium in Rupganj, Narayanganj, on Sunday afternoon. Hajjaj noted that although several commissions and policies had been formed in the past, the education system lacked a clear vision until now. He stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has set the new direction for the sector.

The minister explained that the government is working to make the education system more practical and modern, focusing not only on certificates but also on developing students’ skills, innovative thinking, and employability. He called for collective efforts to promote skill-based education and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving educational quality.

Member of Parliament for Narayanganj-1, Mustafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, added that sustainable education requires coordinated efforts among teachers, students, parents, and administrators, along with digital expansion, teacher training, and institutional accountability.

An eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally and procession in Feni on Sunday, demanding the immediate implementation of the referendum verdict. The demonstration, part of a central program, began in front of Jahiriya Mosque and concluded with a brief assembly at the Shaheed Minar square. Leaders warned that if their demands were not met, the alliance would announce tougher programs.

The rally was presided over by Mufti Abdul Hannan, Ameer of Feni district Jamaat, and conducted by Assistant Secretary Advocate Jamal Uddin. Several alliance leaders, including Professor Abu Yusuf, ANM Abdur Rahim, Engineer Nazrul Islam, Maulana Amir Hossain, Maulana Muzafor Ahmad Jafri, Fazlul Haque, Soikat Islam Zahid, and Shah Wali Ullah Manik, addressed the gathering. Speakers accused the government of delaying the implementation of the “July Charter” despite many becoming ministers and MPs after the July uprising.

They further warned that any betrayal of the sacrifices made during the July movement would not be tolerated and that the alliance would respond strongly if the referendum verdict was not enforced.

Imdadul Haque Molla, founder director of Ontimex Communication Ltd and former president of the Internet Service Provider Association, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the nationwide internet shutdown on July 18, 2024, occurred due to a government decision. He said that after a fire broke out at the Mohakhali Disaster Management Building that afternoon, internet services began to fail in some areas and were completely cut off across the country by around 9 p.m.

Molla explained that internet providers operate at the final distribution level, while bandwidth is supplied through International Internet Gateways (IIGs), the state-owned Submarine Cable Company, and International Terrestrial Companies (ITCs). When contacted, IIGs informed them that bandwidth supply from ITCs had been stopped, leading them to conclude that the shutdown was government-directed.

He added that on July 23, 2024, then-ICT State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak visited the site and said the outage was due to a data center fire, which Molla described as a political statement since the fire had not affected the data center itself. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, set April 16 for the next hearing.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists to cooperate with security forces to maintain law and order across the country. He gave the directive on Sunday at the National Parliament Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, according to his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

The Prime Minister emphasized that party members should work with the administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure peace in their respective areas. He urged them to report any activities that could disrupt local harmony and warned against taking the law into their own hands. He further stressed that development and peace in every area must be preserved at any cost.

The directive comes as part of the government’s broader effort to ensure stability and development at the local level, reinforcing the importance of coordination between political activists and law enforcement authorities.