New school admission policy released, 63% quota

The Ministry of Education has released a new policy for admission of students from class one to class nine in government schools, where several changes have been made in the quota and admission process.

The new policy states that students can be admitted up to class nine in the entry class of government secondary schools and if there are vacant seats.

The policy signed by Secondary and Higher Education Department Secretary Rehena Parveen was released on Thursday (November 13).

The policy has maintained a total of 63 percent quota as before. Of this, there is the most dissatisfaction among the parents with the 40 percent catchment area quota. Especially those who temporarily live in Dhaka due to work, they have been demanding the cancellation of this quota. According to the National Education Policy 2010, admission of students above the age of 6 years must be ensured. However, to be admitted in the 2026 academic year, the student must be at least five years old on January 1 and a maximum of seven years old on the last day of the year. That is, the date of birth must be between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2018. For the next class, the age determination will be followed consistently as per the rules for admission to the first class. A certified copy of the online birth certificate will have to be submitted for age verification. There will be an additional relaxation of up to five years in age for students with special needs.

The new policy states that the 2026 academic year will run from January 1 to December 31 and a maximum of 55 students can be accommodated in each branch. In addition to the catchment area, the quota system also includes 5 percent for children of freedom fighters and 2 percent for students with special needs. Although there is a total of 1 percent quota for children of officials and employees of the Ministry of Education and its subordinate departments and organizations, this time it has been divided separately—0.5 percent for the ministry and 0.5 percent for subordinate departments.

The twin and sibling quota has been changed and the twin quota has been reduced from 3 percent last time to 2 percent. On the other hand, the sibling quota has been increased from 2 percent to 3 percent. Both quotas will be applicable to a maximum of three children of a couple. In the admission process for class VI, 10 percent seats will be compulsorily reserved for students who have passed class V from government primary schools.

An official of the secondary department of Mausi said that although the quota kept for employees of the ministry and its subordinate departments is very low, many people think it is not necessary. He also said that there are allegations of fraud regarding the catchment area and if the rules are strictly followed, the negative aspects of this quota will be reduced.