EDUCATION
No Individual Can Serve More Than Two Consecutive Terms as President
The Ministry of Education has issued new regulations regarding the formation of governing bodies and managing committees of private schools and colleges in Bangladesh. According to a gazette published on Sunday (August 31), no individual can serve as the president of a governing body for more than two consecutive terms. Additionally, nominees for the position must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree from a recognized university.
The new policy, titled Governing Body and Managing Committee Regulations–2025, has already been enforced under the Dhaka, Barishal, Mymensingh, and Sylhet education boards.
As per the gazette, a person cannot serve as president of more than one institution at the same time, and the maximum number of governing body or managing committee presidencies one individual can hold is three.
To nominate a president, the head of the institution must submit a list of up to three candidates, along with their profiles, to the respective education board. Eligible nominees may include government officials of certain grades, professors from public universities or government colleges, the institution’s founder, or technical degree holders with relevant qualifications.
The regulations also detail the structure of managing committees, ensuring representation from teachers, female teachers, guardians, and female guardians. The number and type of representatives will vary depending on whether the institution includes primary, secondary, or higher secondary levels.
The Ministry of Education stated that the new policy aims to bring greater transparency and accountability to the management of private educational institutions.
Leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra Dal staged a protest at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Friday, condemning the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inqilab Manch. The demonstration began around 5:30 pm when protesters marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the hospital, where Hadi is currently receiving treatment.
Chhatra Dal’s central president, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and secretary, Nasir Uddin Nasir, were present at the protest. The demonstrators chanted slogans demanding immediate arrest of those responsible, including “Why was Hadi shot? Interim answer now” and “Direct action.”
Earlier in the afternoon, armed assailants shot Hadi in the Bijoynagar culvert area. He was rescued and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Following the attack, additional police and security personnel were deployed around the hospital. Authorities are working to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the shooting
In Noakhali’s Hatiya upazila, the annual exams of more than four hundred students at Charkailash Government Primary School are being conducted by the headteacher alone, due to an ongoing work stoppage by assistant teachers. On 2 December, the assistant teachers were seen staying inside the office room while headteacher Monowara Hoque managed the examinations single-handedly.
Handling five classes at once has resulted in significant disorder during the exams. With no monitoring in several rooms, students were observed talking openly, copying from notebooks, and moving about freely. Concerned parents expressed frustration, saying that exam standards are being severely compromised and students’ academic futures are at risk.
Assistant teachers said they are observing the nationwide work stoppage to press for three demands, including 11th grade status and promotion. They warned of tougher programmes if their demands remain unmet.
Headteacher Monowara Hoque stated that while she respects the teachers’ movement, she is conducting the exams based on instructions from the DPEO, ADPEO and ATEO. She added that she is receiving support from former students to continue the examinations so that children do not fall behind.
Upazila Primary Education Officer Abdul Jabbar said that exams are being conducted in 79 out of Hatiya’s 227 schools. He added that further decisions regarding the remaining schools will be taken by the authorities.
The government has warned that secondary school teachers who suspended students’ examinations are in violation of civil service rules and will face disciplinary action. The caution came from Education Adviser Professor Dr C R Abrar during an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Monday.
Dr Abrar said the teachers’ decision to halt examinations amounts to a breach of the government’s code of conduct, adding that the authorities have taken a firm stance on the matter. He urged teachers to resume examinations immediately to ease pressure on students and their parents.
The adviser described the demand for upgrading teachers to the ninth grade as unjustified, saying they had joined service knowing they would remain in the tenth grade. He noted that the ninth grade is typically reserved for BCS administration cadre officers and involves inter-ministerial coordination, meaning teachers cannot be placed there unilaterally.
Dr Abrar further alleged that the teachers were “using students as instruments” by suspending examinations during their movement, which he termed unethical. He warned that failure to conduct exams from the next day would result in disciplinary action under civil service regulations.