The number of recipients of the national “Distinguished Teacher Honour” will be increased from 12 to 100 this year to provide wider professional recognition to meritorious teachers, Prime Minister's Adviser for Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin said on Monday.

“For a long time, only 12 teachers received the national ‘Distinguished Teacher Honour’. However, for the first time since the elected democratic government assumed office, a total of 100 meritorious teachers from primary to higher education are being brought under this inclusive honour,” he said.

Mahdi made the remarks while briefing journalists at the outset of a meeting of the National Steering Committee formed to observe World Teachers’ Day 2026 at the Ministry of Education at the Secretariat.

He said the honours would be conferred in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the main event on October 5, marking World Teachers’ Day, proclaimed by UNESCO.

The selection includes teachers from primary schools and the three streams of secondary education — general, technical and madrasah, Mahdi said.

Teachers from colleges, general universities and specialised fields, including medicine, agriculture, engineering, and science and technology, have also been selected for the honour, he said.

Mahdi said teachers not only impart knowledge but also help nurture patriotism, honesty and human values among younger generations, contributing to the development of a self-respecting nation.

“Enhancing the dignity of teachers and adopting sustainable education policies are among the government’s priorities in implementing the roadmap for a modern and merit-based Bangladesh announced by the Prime Minister,” he said.

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Parliament Whips Rakibul Islam Bokul and Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division Abdul Khaleque, Secretary of the Madrasah Education Division Md Daud Mia, Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Jesmin Nahar, and Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel attended the meeting.