May education commercialization under the guise of test examinations cease

In Bangladesh's education system, commercialization under the pretext of test examinations is a major injustice. Not only are students in secondary and higher secondary educational institutions subjected to these fees, but this commercialization also extends to primary levels. Recently, Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury has directed to take action against institutions that collect extra fees from students under the pretext of test examinations. This directive comes from the Ministry of Education, as reported on Tuesday (April 16).

Parents and students are alleging that in secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions, extra fees are being collected from students under the pretext of test examinations. Along with withholding admit cards, these institutions are depriving students of various financial benefits.

According to reports published in the media, recently, a directive has been issued in a notice signed by Syed A Z Morshed Ali, Deputy Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. The directive states that students are being deprived of various financial benefits by withholding admit cards based on the name and purpose of the test. Complaints have been received through various channels regarding this matter.

The directive states that various institutions are obstructing students from issuing admit cards based on reasons related to examinations. At the same time, they are taking different financial benefits from students. Complaints regarding this issue have been received through various means. The Education Minister has directed that no additional fees shall be charged from any student in the name of the test examination. Simultaneously, withholding admit cards based on the purpose of the examination is prohibited.

For many years, this has been a significant irregularity in Bangladesh's education system. Especially before the final examinations of secondary and higher secondary levels, some educational institutions start collecting additional fees. This puts many impoverished students in jeopardy. For many families, it becomes impossible to afford the additional fees alongside the expenses of their children's education.

The final examinations of secondary and higher secondary levels are extremely crucial for students as they serve as a gateway to higher education. Naturally, during this time, students face various pressures. Many educational institutions take advantage of this opportunity by collecting additional fees under the guise of test examinations. Students are often compelled to pay these fees without any questioning. Firstly, they believe that if they don't take the test examination, they won't perform well in the final examination. Secondly, many educational institutions give such threats that if students don't take the test examination, they won't be allowed to participate in the final examination. It's necessary to take the test examination before the final examination. However, many fail to understand why an additional fee is charged for it. This could be organized from the regular salaries and government grants for students.

We hope that due to this directive from the Education Minister, such commercialization in educational institutions will cease. Educational institutions are sacred places, and such irregularities can not only break the students' morale but also instill negative perceptions in their minds. It's noteworthy that the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations will commence from June onwards. We believe that no such allegations will arise before the higher secondary examinations.