Scholarship examinations for primary school students in Bangladesh are set to resume this December, according to a circular issued on Thursday (July 17) by the Directorate of Primary Education. The circular was sent to all Upazila Education Officers across the country.
The scholarship exam had been discontinued in 2009 following the introduction of the Primary Education Completion (PEC) exam.
Although a decision was made in 2022 to reinstate the scholarship exam, it was not implemented. Instead, the government awarded merit-based scholarships and continued stipends for underprivileged students.
Now, after a long pause, the current interim government has decided to reintroduce the scholarship examination.
As per the circular, the exams are tentatively scheduled to be held on December 21, 22, 23, and 24.
Students will be tested in four subjects: Bangla, English, Primary Mathematics, and a combined paper on Bangladesh and Global Studies and Primary Science. The combined subject will carry 50% weightage from each area.
Eligible participants will include students from government primary schools, experimental schools attached to Primary Teachers` Training Institutes (PTIs), and primary sections attached to government secondary schools.
Participation is mandatory for all government primary schools and PTI-affiliated experimental schools.
Based on the results of the first term examinations, up to 40% of fifth-grade students from each institution will be eligible to sit for the scholarship test.
