Md. Palash Tushar Pathan, Reporter || Students across Bangladesh may enjoy an extended break during this year’s Durga Puja, with weekly holidays adding to the scheduled closures at schools and colleges. Depending on the institution and level of education, the break could last 10 days or more.Government employees will also enjoy a five-day holiday during the festival following the declaration of an additional public holiday on October 22.Schools: Up to 10 consecutive daysAccording to the 2026 holiday calendar for government and non-government secondary and lower secondary schools, the Durga Puja holiday is scheduled for October 18–22.With October 16 and 17 falling on Friday and Saturday, students could get seven consecutive days off from October 16 to 22. The following Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, are also weekly holidays. If schools remain closed on October 25 for Lakshmi Puja, the break could extend to 10 consecutive days, from October 16 to 25.However, the final schedule may depend on decisions by the relevant education authorities and any adjustments to academic calendars.Colleges: Extended break in OctoberAccording to a notice from the College-4 branch of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, colleges are scheduled to remain closed from October 18 to 29.The holiday period covers Durga Puja, Bijoya Dashami, Prabarana Purnima and Lakshmi Puja on October 25. Weekly holidays on October 16–17 and October 30–31 could extend the break to 16 consecutive days, from October 16 to 31.Madrasas to remain closed for three daysGovernment and private madrasas, including MPO-listed and ebtedayee institutions, are scheduled to observe a three-day holiday from October 20 to 22, according to the holiday calendar of the Directorate of Madrasa Education.University holidays will varyUniversities may follow different holiday schedules, as the government’s public holiday calendar does not automatically apply to all institutions.Public and autonomous universities generally determine their holidays based on their own academic calendars, administrative decisions and approval from the relevant authorities.As a result, the duration of the Durga Puja break may vary from one university to another. Class schedules, examinations, administrative activities and residential hall operations may also differ. Students will need to check their respective universities’ official notices for confirmation.Government employees to get five-day breakAccording to the government holiday calendar issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, October 20, Tuesday, was scheduled as a holiday for Maha Navami, while October 21, Wednesday, was designated for Bijoya Dashami.The government has additionally declared October 22, Thursday, a holiday through an executive order. Combined with the weekly holidays, this will give government employees a five-day break.