Education Ministry Sets Bachelor’s Degree as Minimum for School Committee Presidents in New Gazette

The Ministry of Education has issued a gazette mandating that presidents of managing committees for non-government secondary schools and colleges must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Alongside this, the ministry has revised the existing regulations for governing bodies and managing committees. The new rules, titled “Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, Lower Secondary, Secondary, and Higher Secondary Level Non-Government Educational Institutions’ Governing Body and Managing Committee Regulations-2025,” were published on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Composition of Managing Committees

The regulations specify that the management and administration of non-government lower secondary, secondary, and higher secondary educational institutions will be overseen by a managing committee, structured as follows:

1. President: One individual, who must hold a postgraduate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university. Additional rules for presidents include:

   • No individual can serve as president of the same institution’s governing body for more than two consecutive terms but may be re-nominated after a one-term break.
   • No individual can serve as president of more than one non-government institution’s governing body.
   • No individual can serve as president of more than three non-government institutions’ governing bodies or managing committees in total.

2. General Teacher Representatives:

   • Higher Secondary Level: Two teachers elected by all teachers at the higher secondary level.
   • With Attached Secondary Level: One teacher from the higher secondary level and one from the secondary level, each elected by their respective teacher groups.
   • With Attached Primary Level: One additional teacher from the primary level, elected by primary-level teachers, increasing the total to three teacher representatives.
   • Secondary Level: Two teachers elected by all secondary-level teachers.
   • Secondary with Attached Primary Level: One teacher from the secondary level and one from the primary level, each elected by their respective teacher groups.
   • Lower Secondary Level: Two teachers elected by all lower secondary-level teachers.
   • Lower Secondary with Attached Primary Level: One teacher from the lower secondary level and one from the primary level, each elected by their respective teacher groups.

3. Reserved Female Teacher Representative:

   • Higher Secondary Level: One female teacher (if available), elected by all teachers at the higher secondary level. If secondary or primary levels are attached, the female teacher is elected by teachers across all levels.
   • Secondary Level: One female teacher (if available), elected by all secondary-level teachers. If a primary level is attached, the female teacher is elected by teachers across both levels.
   • Lower Secondary Level: One female teacher (if available), elected by all lower secondary-level teachers. If a primary level is attached, the female teacher is elected by teachers across both levels.

4. General Guardian Representatives:

   • Higher Secondary Level: Four guardians of 11th-grade students, elected by all higher secondary guardians.
   • With Attached Secondary Level: Two guardians from the higher secondary level (11th grade) and two from the secondary level (up to 9th grade), elected by their respective guardian groups.
   • With Attached Primary Level: Two guardians from the higher secondary level (11th grade), two from the secondary level (up to 9th grade), and one from the primary level (up to 4th grade), totaling five guardians.
   • Secondary Level: Four guardians of students up to 9th grade, elected by all secondary-level guardians.
   • Secondary with Attached Primary Level: Two guardians from the secondary level (6th to 9th grade) and two from the primary level (up to 4th grade), elected by their respective guardian groups.
   • Lower Secondary Level: Four guardians of students up to 7th grade, elected by all lower secondary-level guardians.
   • Lower Secondary with Attached Primary Level: Two guardians from the lower secondary level (6th to 7th grade) and two from the primary level (up to 4th grade), elected by their respective guardian groups.

5. Reserved Female Guardian Representative:

   • Higher Secondary Level: One female guardian of 11th-grade students, elected by all higher secondary guardians. If secondary or primary levels are attached, the female guardian is elected by guardians across all levels.
   • Secondary Level: One female guardian of students up to 9th grade, elected by all secondary-level guardians. If a primary level is attached, the female guardian is elected by guardians across both levels.
   • Lower Secondary Level: One female guardian of students up to 7th grade, elected by all lower secondary-level guardians. If a primary level is attached, the female guardian is elected by guardians across both levels.

6. Founder Representative: The institution’s founder, or, if multiple founders exist, one elected by them.

7. Donor Representative: The institution’s donor, or, if multiple donors exist, one elected by them.

8. Education Enthusiast Member: A local education enthusiast nominated by the majority of the governing body at its first meeting, subject to approval by the education board.

9. Member-Secretary: The head of the institution, who also serves as the member-secretary.

Additional Provisions

• Female Teachers’ Eligibility: Female teachers are eligible to contest for general teacher representative positions.
• Committee Formation: A governing body is considered formed if at least 80% of its positions are filled through elections.
• Vacancies: If no candidates are available for a specific category, the presiding officer will note the vacancy in the election report, and the governing body can still be formed, subject to the 80% rule.
• Guardian Membership: If a student leaves the institution, their guardian’s membership becomes vacant, and the vacancy must be filled per the regulations.
• Government Employees: Government officials or employees wishing to participate in elections must obtain a no-objection certificate from the relevant authority.
• Term Limits: No individual can serve as a teacher or guardian representative for more than two consecutive terms but may contest again after a one-term break.

Selection of Presidents

The institution’s head, in consultation with the Divisional Commissioner or District Administrator, must submit a list of three candidates for the president’s position, each meeting the minimum educational qualification (postgraduate or four-year bachelor’s degree). Eligible candidates include:

• Serving officers in government, semi-government, or autonomous institutions at grade 9 or above.
• Retired officers from grade 5 or above.
• Associate professors or professors from public universities or government colleges.
• Founders of the institution.
• Officers with a four-year bachelor’s degree in technical fields (e.g., MBBS, engineering, agriculture) serving at grade 9 or above, or retired from grade 5 or above.

The list of proposed names does not imply a priority order for nomination.