Students and teachers across Bangladesh are preparing for an extended break as educational institutions begin their Durga Puja holidays. The length of the break varies by institution, with secondary schools potentially getting 10 consecutive days off and college students enjoying up to 16 days when weekly holidays are included.
According to the 2026 holiday calendar, secondary and lower secondary schools have five days of scheduled holidays from October 18 to 22. Combined with the weekly holidays on Fridays and Saturdays, along with the Lakshmi Puja holiday on October 25, the break could run from October 16 through October 25.
Colleges will follow a different schedule. According to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, college holidays are scheduled from October 18 to 29, covering Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Prabarana Purnima and Lakshmi Puja. When the weekly holidays before and after the scheduled break are included, students could enjoy a total of 16 consecutive days off, from October 16 to 31.
Madrasas, however, will have a shorter break. Government and private madrasas, including MPO-listed institutions and Ebtedayi madrasas, are scheduled to remain closed from October 20 to 22 for Durga Puja. The overall break may vary depending on each institution’s weekly holiday arrangements.
Government employees will also enjoy an extended holiday. The government has declared October 22 an additional holiday by executive order. Along with the previously scheduled holidays on October 20 and 21 and the weekend on October 23 and 24, government employees will have five consecutive days off.
Universities across the country will follow their own holiday schedules. As autonomous institutions, they determine their academic calendars and holidays through individual administrative decisions. Some may align their breaks with the government holiday schedule, while others may announce additional days off.
Students, teachers and staff are advised to check their institution’s official holiday notice, as schedules may vary depending on administrative decisions and academic requirements.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 16 Oct 2026, 12:03.
