Scholarship examinations were conducted earlier in the fifth grade for the primary and eighth grade for the secondary school. The scholarship examination is returning to the previous rules.
Once upon a time scholarship exams were conducted across the country with these two classes of students. Selected students would get scholarships.
After the introduction of Primary Education Completion (PEC) in 2009 and Junior School Certificate (JSC) in 2010, the system of giving scholarships through separate examinations was abolished, where 50,000 students would get scholarships based on the results of those who passed these exams.
These two exams were not conducted in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID period. Later, the PEC and JSC exams were permanently canceled in 2022. These two exams were not included in the new curriculum starting from 2023.
After the fall of the government on August 5, the interim government canceled the 'National Curriculum Outline 2021'. The creative process enacted in 2012 has been upheld. Annual examinations will be conducted as before in the traditional manner. As a result, the question has again arisen whether the scholarship examination will be held as per the previous rules.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education says that there is a discussion on the matter of taking the scholarship examination in the old method in the next academic year. A final decision will be taken by discussing whether a separate scholarship examination can be conducted before the end of primary (class V).
The scholarship examination was stopped as there would be more stress on the students due to taking the examination in phases. Educationists fear that if it is re-introduced, the coaching and guide business may flourish.
In this regard, the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Farid Ahmed told the media on Thursday that this is nothing new. Just returning to the previous rules. All Class V students will not be forced to take the scholarship test. Those who are interested in participating in the scholarship examination only will be given the opportunity of the examination. Children learn to grow up through competition from childhood.
