Admission into class I to class IX in all the public and private schools across the country will be taken through lottery system amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni confirmed the matter at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.
Details about the multiple steps of the admission procedure will be announced on December 7, the minister said, adding that the entire procedure will end between January 10 and 15.
She said, “I have considered three options. First one is holding admission through written examination or MCQ system. But students will have to come to school for this system. We don’t want to take the risk of bringing students to school in the pandemic. So, we have decided to go with the lottery system to avoid health risks.”
“Second option was online admission test. Although it is safe for everyone to take online admission tests, it will be difficult to ensure the participation of all as everyone does not have access to the internet,” she added.
About the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) result, Education Minister said, “The results of HSC and equivalent examinations will be published according to the results of SSC and JSC. Experts have given their opinion on this. According to their opinion, the results will be made keeping 75 percent priority (weight) on SSC and 25 percent from JSC.”
Replying to a query, she said, “When the schools open will depend entirely on the Covid-19 situation. The coronavirus infection is more prevalent during winter and December and January are the colder moths in our country. The schools may be reopened then and the decision will be taken later.”
The minister also hinted that the text year’s SSC, HSC examinations may be delayed for 2 months.
In this regard, Dr Dipu Moni said, “Students of tenth grade could not participate in class this year as schools were closed for almost the entire year. However, we want classes to be held for at least three months before the SSC exam. Therefore, next year's SSC and HSC exams may be one-two months behind schedule.”
During the virtual briefing, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Secretary of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) Md Mahbub Hossain, Technical and Madrasa Education Secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan and DSHE Director General Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk were present.
Earlier, the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) had made three proposals, including physical admission tests, online tests, and lottery. Among these proposals of the DSHE, the Education Ministry accepted the offer of admission through lottery.
The lottery system was only used to admit students to class I. Admission tests were held for students of class II to class XIII and students used to admit in class IX nine on the basis of JSC and JDC examination results.
