Five educational institutions nationalized under BNP government, 28 more on nationalization list

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Since the BNP-led government took office in 2026, five educational institutions in the country have been nationalized. Among them are three secondary-level schools and two degree colleges. In addition, another 28 educational institutions have reportedly been brought into the nationalization process, according to relevant sources.

The three schools that have been nationalized are Tindu Lower Secondary School in Thanchi Upazila of Bandarban, Gabtali Pilot High School in Bogura’s Gabtali Upazila, and Shibganj Pilot Girls’ High School in the same district’s Shibganj Upazila.

A notification issued on July 13 by the Government Secondary-3 Branch of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education announced the nationalization of Tindu Lower Secondary School. According to the notification, the school was renamed “Tindu Government Lower Secondary School” effective from that day.

The notification said the teachers and employees of the school would be absorbed into government service in accordance with the existing rules and regulations. After absorption, their posts would not be transferable.

Subsequently, on August 27, the Ministry of Education issued separate notifications regarding the nationalization of two schools in Bogura. Shibganj Pilot Girls’ High School was nationalized effective August 25 under the name “Shibganj Government Pilot Girls’ High School,” while Gabtali Pilot High School was nationalized effective August 27 as “Gabtali Government Pilot High School.”

These two notifications also stated that teachers and employees would be absorbed according to the existing rules. They would not be transferable after being absorbed into government service.

The two degree colleges included in the nationalization process are Shaheed Zia Degree College in Gabtali Upazila of Bogura and Mirza Golam Hafiz Degree College in Atwari Upazila of Panchagarh.

On August 25, the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education issued separate notifications regarding the nationalization of the two colleges. The notifications were signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Monjurul Alam on behalf of the President.

The notifications stated that Mirza Golam Hafiz Degree College and Shaheed Zia Degree College had been nationalized effective August 25, 2026, under the “Government College Teachers and Employees Absorption Rules, 2018.”

Alongside the five institutions that have already been nationalized, initiatives have been taken to nationalize another 28 educational institutions. These institutions include schools and colleges in different districts across the country.

The list includes Ruhia Degree College and Bhulli Degree College in Thakurgaon, Najiur Rahman College in Bhola, Fatema-Matin Women’s College in Char Fasson, Char Fasson Girls’ Secondary School, Karimunnesa-Hafiz Women’s College and Sakuchia Secondary School in Monpura.

Mahasthan Mahiswar Degree College and Palli Unnayan Academy Laboratory School and College in Bogura, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Degree College and Bir Sreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir College in Barishal have also been included.

Shibganj Girls’ High School and Shibganj Women’s Degree College in Chapainawabganj, Kola Adarsha Degree College in Naogaon and Agrabad Women’s College in Chattogram are also on the list.

Syed Abul Hossain College in Madaripur, Gopalpur Degree College in Natore, Abdul Karim Mridha College in Patuakhali, Haji Wahed-Mariam College in Sirajganj, Nabakam Palli College in Faridpur, Kazi Salima Haque Women’s College and Aminur Rahman Degree College in Magura are also included in the nationalization initiative.

Kashinathpur Women’s Degree College, Ishwardi Women’s College, Selim Reza Habib Degree/Honours College and Sujanagar Nizam Uddin Asgar Ali Degree College in Pabna are also on the list. Kaliakair College in Gazipur and Abdur Rahman Degree College in Mymensingh are also included.

Preliminary activities have already begun for several institutions on the nationalization list. Instructions have been issued to assess the suitability of the institutions for nationalization, take necessary administrative measures and send progress reports to the Prime Minister’s Office, relevant ministries and departments.

At the same time, work is underway to prepare a comprehensive list of the country’s century-old schools and colleges. On September 2, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) instructed relevant authorities to send information on century-old educational institutions across the country. The possibility of giving special priority to these long-established institutions in the nationalization process has also emerged.

However, questions have also been raised over the current process of nationalizing educational institutions. Education-related stakeholders are discussing why some institutions with better educational standards, results and infrastructure have been left off the list while some comparatively weaker institutions have been included.

There are allegations that after the BNP government assumed office, a significant portion of the institutions that have been nationalized or are currently undergoing feasibility assessments were selected based on recommendations from ministers and members of parliament from the respective areas.

The report also mentions that two institutions received initiatives for nationalization directly on the instructions of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. One of them is Tindu Lower Secondary School in Thanchi, Bandarban, which has already been nationalized. According to those concerned, the decision to nationalize the institution was made after considering humanitarian factors.

Education specialists say that the decision to nationalize a private educational institution is not merely an administrative matter; it also has long-term financial and education-policy implications. Nationalization can play a positive role in expanding education if factors such as educational standards, student numbers, geographic needs and shortages of government educational institutions in particular areas are taken into account.

However, if nationalization is carried out based on recommendations from individuals, political leaders or influential groups without specific and equal rules for everyone, it could have negative consequences in the future. This could deprive deserving institutions while further strengthening the culture of political influence and lobbying.

Professor Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Dhaka said there should be a clear policy for nationalizing educational institutions. According to him, such a policy would ensure accountability in government decisions. In his view, the absence of a policy gives the government the opportunity to nationalize any institution at its discretion.

Meanwhile, several attempts were made to contact Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan by phone to obtain his comments on the overall issue, but he did not answer the calls. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Dr Mahdi Amin also declined to comment on the matter.