The New School Dhaka
Dr. Sabuj Ahmed
Dr. Sabuj Ahmed
Dr. Sabuj Ahmed is a Bangladeshi educator, author, and school leader whose work spans teaching, research, writing, and educational leadership. He is the co founder and Principal of The New School Dhaka, an independent PG–12 institution in Banani, Dhaka, where he has played a central role in shaping a learner focused and inclusive school culture. Over more than two decades, he has worked closely with students, teachers, and parents, guided by a belief that education must develop both academic excellence and social responsibility
Early life and education
Born in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, Sabuj Ahmed developed an early interest in learning and literature. He completed his secondary and higher secondary education under the Jessore Board, achieving first division results in SSC in 1985 and HSC in 1987. He later studied English at the University of Rajshahi, earning a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree and a Master of Arts degree in the early 1990s. In 1999, he received a NORAD Scholarship from the Norwegian government and attended the University of Oslo, where he completed a graduate credit course in Peace Research. The experience broadened his global perspective and strengthened his conviction that education plays a vital role in social cohesion and peaceful development. In the later stage of his career, he formally pursued teacher education, earning a Bachelor of Education in 2022 and a Master of Education in 2023 from the Royal University of Dhaka. In January 2025, Maryland State University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Education degree in recognition of his contributions to educational scholarship and institutional leadership
Career
Dr. Ahmed began his professional career in the 1990s as Head of the Department of English at the College of Development Alternative in Dhaka. He later joined Bangladesh International Tutorial, where he served as Senior English Teacher, Assistant Headmaster, and Headmaster of both the GCE and Girls Sections between 2000 and 2007. In 2008, he co founded The New School Dhaka. Under his leadership, the school grew from a small academic initiative into a full PG–12 international institution. He led its transition to Cambridge Assessment International Education, introduced digital learning practices, strengthened teacher professional development, and placed student well being and community engagement at the centre of school life
Scholarship and publications
Alongside his role as a school leader, Dr. Ahmed has built a substantial body of academic and professional writing. He is among Bangladesh’s most prolific educational authors, with over 100 published books on pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment, leadership, and contemporary issues in education. His major works include Dictionary of Education, Pedagogy The Basics of Teaching, The 21st Century Teacher, AI in Education, Decolonizing Education, Curriculum Overload, Classroom Management Strategies, History of Education, Education Leadership in the 21st Century, The Hidden Curriculum, and The Democratic School. He has also authored widely used series for teachers and students, including Mastering O Level English Language 1123, Understanding Poetry, Understanding Non Fiction, Bangladesh Studies Books I to V, and Introduction to History and Geography Books I to III. In addition to books, Dr. Ahmed is an active contributor to open access academic platforms. He has authored over 120 educational articles on ResearchGate, focusing on pedagogy, curriculum studies, teacher development, and education policy. His work regularly attracts high readership, and he is often among the most read Bangladeshi authors on the platform, with cumulative reads running into the hundreds of thousands, reflecting both scholarly relevance and practical impact
Awards and recognition
Dr. Ahmed’s contributions to education have been recognised nationally and internationally. He received the Nation Builders Award in 2016 and was named Educator of the Year at the 23rd World School Summit in 2025. Earlier in his career, the NORAD Scholarship marked an important milestone in his academic development
Professional expertise
He is widely respected for his work in instructional leadership, curriculum development, assessment reform, teacher training, and the integration of technology and artificial intelligence in education. His experience spans both national and international education systems, with a strong focus on quality improvement, inclusion, and sustainable school leadership.
Community engagement and personal life
Dr. Sabuj Ahmed is married to Professor Jaharat Ara, a university teacher of English and his long time academic collaborator. Beyond formal education, he remains deeply involved in community and youth development. He serves as the Patron of Share Your Closet, a student led non profit organisation dedicated to humanitarian support, social responsibility, and community service. Through mentorship and guidance, he encourages young people to connect learning with empathy, ethical action, and civic engagement, reflecting his belief that education should shape character as well as intellect
