A major change has been proposed in the procedure for selecting chairpersons of governing bodies and managing committees of private educational institutions. Under the proposed 2026 Regulations, instead of being nominated by the Education Board, the chairperson of a managing committee would be elected through votes cast by the elected members of the committee. However, the final approval of the committee would remain with the Education Board.

At the same time, the chairperson’s authority to appoint the head and assistant head of an institution has been proposed to be abolished. Changes have also been proposed regarding the educational qualifications of chairpersons, the number of institutions where an individual may serve, and the procedures for recruiting teachers and employees.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Ministry of Education yesterday, Sunday. Several officials present at the meeting confirmed the matter to Dainik Amader Barta. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education.

According to sources, the proposed amendments to the regulations governing the committees will be finalized after approval from the Minister of Education and Primary and Mass Education, Dr. ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.

Under the proposed provision, within seven days of the completion of elections for the various categories of members of a managing committee, the head of the educational institution will have to convene a meeting of the elected members to elect the chairperson. The meeting will be presided over by the designated presiding officer.

The chairperson will be elected by a majority vote of the elected members present at the meeting. In addition to members of the managing committee, candidates for the position may include local education enthusiasts, prominent social workers, elected representatives, or serving or retired first-class government officials.

At least two-thirds of the elected members of the managing committee must be present at the meeting for the election to take place. If two or more candidates receive an equal number of the highest votes, the chairperson would be selected through a lottery among those candidates.

If the position of chairperson becomes vacant due to resignation, death or any other reason, a new chairperson must be elected within a maximum of seven working days.

The proposed 2026 regulations also seek to change the educational qualification required for a managing committee chairperson. The 2026 proposal, which would further amend the revised 2025 regulations, stipulates that a chairperson must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university.

The proposal also states that a teacher or employee currently working at the concerned educational institution cannot be elected as its managing committee chairperson.

In addition, an individual would not be allowed to serve as chairperson of more than two private educational institutions of the same type and more than three private educational institutions of the tenure-based type.

Changes have also been proposed in the nomination process for chairpersons of governing bodies.

Under the 2024 regulations, three names could be proposed from among local elected representatives, retired first-class government officials, educationists and prominent social workers after consultation with the local Member of Parliament.

The revised 2025 regulations introduced provisions for consultation with the divisional commissioner or deputy commissioner, as applicable. Those regulations allowed three names to be proposed from among officials working in government, semi-government or autonomous organizations, associate professors or professors of public universities or government colleges, founders of the concerned educational institution, and other specified categories of individuals.

Under the proposed 2026 draft, three names along with their detailed curricula vitae would be submitted from among officials and employees working in government, semi-government or autonomous organizations and prominent social workers. The order in which the names appear on the proposed list would not be considered as giving any candidate priority.

Changes have also been proposed in the provisions concerning teacher recruitment.

According to the proposed regulations, the governing body or managing committee, in accordance with government decisions and relevant rules, would appoint the head of the educational institution, assistant head and employees, as well as new teachers recommended or certified by the competent authority. Where applicable, the committee would also be able to grant promotions to teachers and employees.

Under the previous revised regulations, the provisions concerning the appointment of heads and assistant heads were excluded from the recruitment authority of the committee. The committee could appoint teachers recommended by the NTRCA from among registered candidates and recruit or promote employees where necessary.

The proposed regulations also seek to replace the term “Chairman of the Education Board” with new terminology