School Admission Tests Return for Classes 2 to 9, Total 100 Marks

The government is set to bring back admission tests for Classes Two to Nine in government and private schools across Bangladesh. The proposed system will replace the GSA Lottery system used for these classes in recent years.

Under the proposed policy, students seeking admission to Classes Two through Nine will take a 100-mark examination. A merit list will then be prepared based on their test results.

The test will cover three subjects: Bangla, English and Mathematics. Bangla and English will carry 30 marks each, while Mathematics will carry 40 marks.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) is preparing a draft admission policy for Classes Two through Nine, according to sources at the Ministry of Education and DSHE. The draft may be sent to the Ministry of Education next week for approval.

After the ministry gives its final approval, the Secondary and Higher Education Division will issue the admission policy.

DSHE Director General Professor Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel confirmed that a draft policy is being prepared. He told The Sun that the ministry would give the final approval before the policy is officially published.

The proposed change has already led to debate among parents, educationists and others. Some support the return of admission tests, while others believe the lottery system was better.

Some parents have suggested keeping the lottery system for younger students. They said it could remain in place from Class One to Class Five, or at least up to Class Three.

Also Read: BUTEX Admission Test 2027

Educationists, however, have raised concerns about the return of admission tests. They said the system could increase corruption and irregularities in school admissions.

They also warned that the move could increase pressure on young students and expand the coaching business. According to them, the change could also increase inequality in education.

They argued that students from wealthy families may have greater access to prestigious schools in city corporation areas. Poorer families, meanwhile, may have fewer opportunities to send their children to such schools.

Professor Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of the Institute of Education and Research at the University of Dhaka said neither lotteries nor admission tests can solve the main problem.

He told The Sun that the government should improve the quality of schools near students' homes. He also stressed the need for proper teacher-student ratios and quality classrooms.

According to him, better local schools would reduce the need for students to seek admission to schools far from their homes.

He also suggested making it mandatory for children of senior government officials, including ministers and bureaucrats, to attend schools near their homes. He said this could help improve the quality of those institutions.

The lottery system has a longer history in school admissions. Since 2011, lottery-based admission has been mandatory for Class One in government secondary schools that have Class One.

The same system was introduced in private schools the following year. At that time, students seeking admission to Classes Two through Nine still had to take admission tests.

The system changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. From the 2020 academic year, lottery-based admission was introduced for students in all classes.

The proposed policy would now change that system for Classes Two through Nine. The lottery system would remain for Class One, while students entering Classes Two through Nine would take admission tests.

The draft policy is still awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Education. The final admission rules will be known after the policy is officially approved and published.