Majority of guardians have expressed satisfaction over the government’s decision to admit students at government and private schools as well through lottery amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
However, they have demanded transparency of the method through forming a committee comprising honest and skilled officers.
But some guardians said that meritorious students would fall behind if they are admitted to school through lottery.
In reply to such doubt, the education ministry said there is no chance for anyone to lag behind as the method will ensure equal opportunity for students for entry into schools.
About the determination of merit, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel said, “The merit of 11-12-year old children cannot be determined. It can be done after 16 years of ages. If it has been done before, it will be illogical. Developed countries follow this method.”
He also said, “It is not right to say that the meritorious students will be deprived if they are not able to get admission in some schools. We cannot throw them in a competition at their tender age. If that is done, they will have to carry the burden of examinations and books. We have to get out of this practice.”
Meanwhile, Abhibhavak Oikyo forum (Guardians Unity Forum), a platform of guardians, has expressed satisfaction over the government decision to admit students at government and private schools through lottery method.
The organisation has demanded that lottery should be conducted by a committee comprising skilled officers.
President of Guardian Unity Forum Ziaul Kabir Dulu said demanded to ensure transparency of lottery for admission of students.
In this regard, Ziaul Kabir, also a freedom fighter, told Bangladesh Post, “As there is shortage high standard schools in the capital city of Dhaka to admit students, there is severe competition for admission in a few schools. Therefore, a committee has to be formed with honest and efficient officials of the Education Ministry to conduct lottery activities in order to ensure the transparency of the lottery method.”
He further said, “There will be less vacancies in class II to class VIII compared to previous year due to auto-promotion in all classes this year. If the seat is not vacant, the student will not able to get admitted. Therefore, small number of students will participate in the lottery in the 2021 academic year admission.”
The education ministry on Wednesday decided that the admission into class I to class IX in all the public and private schools across the country will be done through lottery system.
This year the catchment area has been increased to 50 percent instead of 40 percent. Each student will be able to select five schools in a lottery in the case of cluster-based entry.
Earlier, the lottery system was only used to admit students to grade 1. Admission tests were held for students of grades 2 to 8. Students were admitted to grade nine on the basis of their results in JSC and JDC exams.