Bangladesh cracks down on universities over delayed audit responses
Bangladesh has tightened oversight of its higher education sector after widespread delays in financial and administrative reporting. A recent directive from the Ministry of Education now demands swift responses to audit findings—or risks cutting off funding for non-compliant institutions. The move follows inspections of 152 colleges and universities over the past two years.
Between 2024 and 2026, the Directorate of Inspection and Audit reviewed 152 higher education institutions across Bangladesh. The list included 87 universities and 65 colleges, as confirmed in official reports released in March 2026. Many of these institutions had failed to submit required broadsheet replies—responses to audit queries—despite repeated reminders.
The Ministry of Education highlighted persistent delays, noting that unresolved issues often lingered for years. In some cases, staff retirements or deaths left financial and administrative matters unsettled. To address this, the ministry issued a strict deadline: institution heads must now send all pending replies within 15 working days. The directive, signed by Md Selim Sikder, assistant secretary of the internal audit wing, carries serious consequences. Any head of an institution who misses the deadline will face suspension or cancellation of their Monthly Pay Order (MPO). This funding mechanism, governed by the MPO Policy-2025, is critical for salaries and operational costs.
The new rules aim to speed up accountability in Bangladesh's education system. Institution leaders must now act quickly on audit findings or lose access to essential funds. The policy shift comes after years of unanswered queries and financial uncertainty in dozens of colleges and universities.
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