Under the interim government, private madrasas are receiving rapid approval and reinstatement, even under eased conditions, as part of a broader shift in education policy.
Institutions previously denied or suspended are being brought back into the fold, while staffing and MPO (Monthly Pay Order) policies are being revised to offer greater flexibility.
According to Education Ministry sources, the newly introduced Private Madrasa (Dakhil and Alim) Policy–2025 allows unapproved institutions, including those operating from rented premises, to gain academic recognition and teaching approval.
Orders are now being issued for pending applications from 2023–2024.
On October 1, the Technical and Madrasa Education Division granted academic recognition to 11 Dakhil madrasas.
Although three of them lost recognition on October 6 for failing to meet conditions, their status was later reinstated.
Another order, dated October 6, granted Alim-level teaching approval retroactively from October 31, 2023.
Six additional Dakhil madrasas received preliminary teaching approval under similarly backdated orders.
Among the newly recognized institutions are Fulotli Dakhil Madrasa in Debidwar, Comilla, and Jhaubona Mohila Madrasa in Chapainawabganj, both approved despite falling short of the required 60% contiguous land ownership.
Fulotli, for instance, had only 54%.
On August 6, two previously canceled madrasas in Pabna and Tangail were also reinstated.
Notably, several of these approvals were signed by AKM Lutfur Rahman, then senior assistant secretary (Madrasa-2), on October 31, 2023, despite his transfer to another department since then.
Joint Secretary SM Masudul Haque clarified that the approvals were processed over a year ago and delayed due to inter-ministerial procedures.
“The process began long ago. Although the documents bear earlier signatures, the approvals are being issued now,” he said.
The shift follows a 2022 decision to transfer the authority for granting establishment, teaching permission, and academic recognition to education boards.
However, the Education Ministry retained control over unresolved applications.
The 1997 policy governing educational institution recognition was revised under the 2025 framework, which now permits recognition of madrasas operating in rented facilities.
Professor Miah Md Nurul Haque, chairman of the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, welcomed the changes.
“Many private madrasas previously conducted exams under the names of approved institutions. Now, they can operate under their own names. Since they function without government funding and perform well, they deserve recognition,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
In parallel, the Technical and Madrasa Education Division has begun revising MPO policies to accommodate newly recognized madrasas.
The process, initiated in November 2024, includes proposals to reduce land ownership requirements for Ebtedayee madrasas from 33 to 25 decimals and lower the minimum student count for MPO eligibility from 150 to 125.
“These changes reflect population growth and stakeholder feedback,” said joint secretary Haque.
“We’re working to ensure that more institutions can access government salary support while maintaining quality standards.”
