Dhunat Thana was established in 1962 and was converted into an upazila in 1983.[2] It is named after its administrative center, the town of Dhunat, which became a municipality in 2001. By 2006 Dhunat Municipality had achieved 100% sanitation and it was awarded as the 2nd pourashava among the country.[citation needed]
According to the 2011 Bangladesh census, Dhunat Upazila had 74,897 households and a population of 292,404. 67,775 (23.18%) were under 10 years of age. Dhunat had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 35.64%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 1043 females per 1000 males. 22,673 (7.75%) lived in urban areas.[1][3]
Administration
Dhunat Upazila is divided into Dhunat Municipality and 10 union parishads: Kalerpara, Bhandarbari, Chaukibari, Chikashi, Dhunat, Elangi, Gopalnagar, Gosainbari, Mathurapur, and Nimgachhi. The union parishads are subdivided into 90 mauzas and 207 villages.
There are 10 colleges in the upazila. They include Dhunat Mohila College, founded in 1996, Jalsuka Habibur Rahman Degree College, G.M.C Degree College, Goshai Bari Degree College, and Sonahata College. Dhunat Degree College, founded in 1972, is the only honors level college in the upazila.[2]
According to Banglapedia, Panchthupi Nasratpur Jaher Ali High School, Dhunat High School, founded in 1941, is a notable secondary school and another Dhunat Adarsh High School, founded in 1988.[2]
The madrasa education system includes three fazil madrasas.[5] According to Banglapedia, Jorkhali Senior Madrasa, founded in 1911, is a notable one.[2]