Writ in High Court seeking cancellation of school admission tests

Movement for Human Rights and Good Governance Foundation has filed a writ challenging the gazette of taking admission tests in all educational institutions of the country in 2027.

Executive Director of the organisation Minhaj Uddin Ahmed filed this writ on Wednesday (October 7).

The education secretary, primary and mass education secretary, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and deputy secretary of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) have been made respondents in the writ.

After filing the writ application, lawyer of the writ petitioner Zahid Talukder informed that the government had taken the decision of conducting digital lottery without taking tests for admission from class one to class nine in government schools across the country in the 2021 academic year. But after coming to power, the BNP government cancelled the lottery method and took the decision of admission tests in the schools.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon informed this information at a press conference on March 16. On that day itself, a gazette was also issued from the side of the ministry cancelling the lottery. Later it was informed in another amended gazette that admission tests will be taken from class two to class nine. Admission will be taken only in class one through lottery.

Lawyer Zahid Talukder said that intense debate appeared after the education minister of Bangladesh announced the cancellation of the existing lottery method in the case of admission of children in government and private secondary schools. Alongside, educationists have informed that coaching business will raise its head due to this system. Besides, the young students will come under pressure in the name of admission tests.

He further said that the decision that the government has taken to cancel the lottery has not been made on the basis of adequate research, data and correct evaluation. The government has taken this decision unilaterally by discussing with stakeholders. The rule of admission tests at the school level will create inequality in society. The children of the poor class of society will not be able to bear the cost of coaching and tutors. As a result, they will fall behind.

Expressing apprehension, this lawyer further said that if the decision that the government has taken is implemented, corruption, nepotism and discrimination will increase. We do not want the soft-minded children to grow up carrying the burden of admission tests every year. Considering all these, we have sought the cancellation of school admission tests.

Lawyer of the writ petitioner Zahid Talukder informed that the hearing on the writ application may take place next week in the High Court bench formed with S. M. Moniruzzaman and S. M. Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud.