Dhaka schools to launch hybrid learning system from Saturday

The government of Bangladesh has announced the introduction of a hybrid learning system in selected educational institutions in Dhaka, beginning this Saturday. The pilot programme, which combines online and in-person instruction, is a strategic response to the escalating global energy crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon detailed the decision during a press briefing at the International Mother Language Institute on Thursday. The minister noted that the policy shift is designed not only to reduce energy consumption but also to mitigate Dhaka's chronic traffic congestion and accelerate the transition toward technology-driven education.

Under the new regulatory framework, educational institutions will operate on a six-day weekly schedule. Students will attend in-person classes on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, while online sessions will be conducted on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Friday will continue to be observed as the weekly holiday.

ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon confirmed that prestigious institutions, including Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, are among the initial cohort selected for the trial. To ensure the quality of instruction and administrative oversight, the ministry has mandated that teachers must be physically present at their respective schools while conducting the digital sessions.

The implementation of the system will be restricted to institutions that demonstrate the technical capacity to support a robust digital learning environment. This policy signal suggests a broader government intent to decentralise school attendance during periods of heightened fuel costs and geopolitical volatility.

By restructuring the academic week, the ministry expects to see a significant reduction in the daily transport demand, thereby lowering the national fuel subsidy burden. The trial period will be closely monitored to determine the feasibility of a permanent hybrid model across the wider metropolitan area.