Holidays Will Be Reduced in Educational Institutions

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News Desk: The government is planning to reduce the annual holidays in all government and private primary and secondary educational institutions across the country. Currently, these institutions observe an average of 76 days of holidays per year. However, additional holidays granted due to various movements, emergencies, or administrative decisions have adversely affected students, increasing learning gaps. To address this, a proposal has been made to reduce holidays by 16 to 20 days, bringing the total down to between 56 and 60 days. For now, the weekly Saturday holiday will remain unchanged. This information comes from sources within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education.

Recently, the issue of reducing holidays was given significant attention during a joint meeting between the two ministries. The meeting was chaired by Begum Badrun Nahar Dolly, Additional Secretary (Secondary-1) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. Senior officials from the Directorate of Primary Education, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Directorate of Madrasa Education, and Directorate of Technical Education were present.

While the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education proposed reducing the holidays during the meeting, the DSHE did not give a final opinion. Officials involved say the matter is still at an initial stage, and a final decision will be made after consulting all relevant departments.

However, officials have clarified that no holiday reduction will be implemented this year. They expect such changes to come into effect during the preparation of the 2026 academic calendar. For the 2025 academic year, schools currently observe a total of 76 annual holidays, while colleges have 71. The government aims to reduce holidays starting from the 2026 academic year.

Currently, in addition to the 76 annual holidays, schools have 52 to 53 weekly holidays. Moreover, educational activities are often abruptly halted due to various reasons, causing teaching deficits and leaving students inadequately prepared for the next grade.

Meanwhile, the government is also considering extending school hours. Experts have long advocated for increased instructional time to enhance primary education quality. On September 30 last year, the government-formed “Primary Education Quality Improvement Advisory Committee,” led by BRAC University’s Emeritus Professor Dr. Manzur Ahmed, submitted several recommendations, including extending school hours.

Committee members noted that approximately 80% of primary schools operate in two shifts and that learning time in these schools is significantly less compared to other countries. They emphasized that increasing instructional hours is essential as part of a long-term plan to address students’ learning deficits.

On the other hand, primary assistant teacher organizations have been demanding shorter school hours. In a press conference at the National Press Club on December 19 last year, the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council called for school hours to be set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Regarding this, Dr. Manzur Ahmed told Somokal, “To bridge the learning gaps, we need to reduce holidays and increase instructional hours. Attention must also be paid to necessary infrastructure, facilities, and effective management. Our recommendations have taken these aspects into account. Implementation is the government’s responsibility.”

Professor Dr. Muhammad Azad Khan, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), told Somokal, “Discussions are ongoing about reducing holidays. A meeting has already taken place, and further meetings will be held to reach a final decision.”