The time to apply for admission in class one to nine in the government secondary level schools has been extended till January 7. The information was delivered by secondary and higher education directorate on Thursday. It is known that those who could not apply due to age complexities now can apply till January 7. The directorate of secondary and higher education has extended the time period following writ filed with the High Court. Besides, the suspended lottery for the admission will be held on January 11. According to the government rules the minimum age for admission in class one is more than six years and for class six it is 11 years. But due to the writ petition and following the directives the digital lottery activities were suspended and time for apply and lottery has been fixed a fresh. The application through online can be made from today. The software for submitting application will be active till 5pm of January 7. Earlier, the deadline for submitting application of secondary level students was December 27 and the selection process through online lottery was scheduled to hold on December 30. AH     

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday expressed displeasure against foreign diplomats for what he said interference in Bangladesh’s domestic affairs saying they should follow the code of conduct and apply their sense of responsibility.    “They (diplomats) should have their sense of responsibility. We expect that they’ll follow their sense of responsibility,” he told reporters after attending a function in the city. The Foreign Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed all concerned to have a ‘model’ election without any interference from the government.  “We’ve a very fair and judicious system. We’re very transparent. Our election will be a very transparent one,” he said adding that diplomats stationed in Dhaka in some cases made too much of interferences in domestic issues going beyond their own duties which is very regrettable. The Foreign Minister said the Election Commission will decide who will go (to observe polls) and who aren’t. “We’ve a code of conduct. Diplomats do have, too.  We expect they’ll work as per the code of conduct.” Asked what action will be taken if they violate the code of conduct, Dr Momen said in that case we will tell them (diplomats) to leave.  Earlier, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson hoped that there will be a “free and fair” contest in the elections to the two Dhaka city corporations where people will be able to cast their votes in a “festive and peaceful” atmosphere. He said he will be joining other colleagues in the diplomatic community here to see a democratic process and how the election goes. The British High Commissioner made the remarks while talking to reporters at his residence to discuss the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU). Elections to both the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will be held on February 1. High Commissioner Dickson said he met all four mayoral candidates and had good discussions with the Election Commission, and noted that a level-playing field is crucial. “I’m very pleased.” He said that this is going to be a big democratic practice and hoped it will remain free from violence noting that violence should not be part of democratic process anywhere, including in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner said this is duty of the diplomats to talk to people and know what is going on in the country. Source: UNB AH

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Wednesday alleged that they are not getting cooperation from the city dwellers in conducting the combing operation to destroy larvae of Aedes mosquito at houses. He warned of taking action against those who will create barrier to conduct the drive by enforcing different sections of the Penal Code of 1860 on charge of obstructing public servants from discharging their duties. “While conducting combing drive, our city corporation officials are facing obstacles by house owners as they’re not allowing them to go inside,” he said. The mayor came up with the remarks while speaking at a meeting on Aedes mosquito elimination drive at a convention centre in the city’s Gulshan area. Reports UNB. Narrating his own experience, Atiqul said he had to wait for at least 45 minutes at some houses to carry out drives. “They (house owners) kept their lifts inoperative and not allowed us to go up to rooftops saying that (rooftop) keys were missing.”    He said the DNCC officials are finding it difficult to continue the drive to destroy the mosquito breeding grounds due to noncooperation by house owners. “So, we’ll take actions from now on under sections 183, 187, 269 and 270 of the Penal Code of 1860 against those who will try to create obstacles to conducting the drive.” In light of their experience from their pilot operation at DNCC’s ward No-19, the mayor said they will carry out the combing drive in the remaining 35 wards from Sunday. “I think city dwellers will cooperate with us and the councilors will play their due role in this regard.” Speaking at the program, Local Government and Rural Development Minister Md Tajul Islam said their ministry will provide all-out support to the city authorities for fighting against dengue and Aedes mosquitoes. “We request our councilors to play a pro-active role in eliminating Aedes mosquitoes.” He voiced satisfaction over the active efforts by the DNCC to destroy the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes. AH