3-day holiday for schools, colleges in early Nov

Teachers and students of schools and colleges in Bangladesh are set to enjoy a three-day consecutive holiday at the beginning of November, combining the weekly day off with public and religious holidays.

According to the official 2026 academic holiday calendar for schools and colleges, National Revolution and Solidarity Day will be observed on November 7 (Saturday), followed by Shyama Puja on November 8 (Sunday). With November 6 falling on Friday, the regular weekly holiday, students and teachers across public and private schools, colleges, and primary schools will enjoy a three-day break.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification on Wednesday (October 21) declaring the public holiday for National Revolution and Solidarity Day. Around 65,000 primary schools across the country will also remain closed during this period.

Shyama Puja, one of the major religious festivals of the Hindu community, falls on the dark fortnight (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik in the Bengali calendar (23 Kartik 1433 BS).

While the holiday applies to government and MPO-affiliated schools and colleges, universities determine their schedules independently based on their own academic calendars.

Furthermore, the holiday schedule released by the Directorate of Technical and Madrasah Education does not list a holiday for Shyama Puja, meaning madrasah students may not receive the extended break.

Shyama Puja, also known as Kali Puja, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with religious fervor across Bangladesh and several regions in India, coinciding with the festival of Diwali.

-SA