FBD Desk:

New students for different classes of schools, including class I, will be selected through a lottery process this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni.

“After discussions with experts, we’ve decided to admit students to different classes through a lottery method. Detailed information will be disclosed by December 7 [next],” she said while speaking at a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

“This year, the catchment area will be enhanced to 50 percent from the existing  40 percent; the admission seekers under the cluster system can choose five schools for enrollment,” she said.

Considering the current situation, it is not possible to hold admission tests ensuring the physical presence of students, and arranging online admission tests in every school is very tough, said Dipu adding, “That’s why the government has taken the decision.”

“The government has taken the decision assessing three options it had – taking admission tests with the students being present physically using MCQ questions, arranging online admission tests and introducing a lottery system for all classes,” Dipu Moni added.

Next SSC, HSC exams may defer

The Education Minister also hinted that the Secondary School Examination (SSC) and Higher Secondary School Examination (HSC) examinations of 2020-21 may be deferred for one or two months due to the Covid-19 situation.

“Already, a short syllabus has been prepared for the SSC and  HSC examinations so that the examinees can take preparations for the examinations after attending classes for three months,” she said.

On October 7, the minister said HSC and equivalent examinations will not be held this time.

“The HSC results will be evaluated based on the students’ JSC and SSC results. The results will be readied by December,” she said.

Dipu Moni said the decision has been taken considering the global pandemic situation, and planning for a risk-free exam is virtually impossible right now.

Decision on other exams

Talking about the other examinations under the Technical Education Board and National University, Dipu Moni said, “We’ve taken a decision in this regard. Hope, we’ll be able to take the examinations after a month.”

“The number of examinees under the Technical Education Board and National University is less than that of other public exams, and we hope we can take the exams following health guidelines,” she said.

The minister urged all the examinees to take preparations for the examinations as there will be no auto-pass.The schedule of the examinations will be announced one month before the examinations, she added.About the class VIII certificates, Dipu Moni said the education board concerned will provide the certificates of  Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC) students.

Reopening schools

Dipu Moni said the educational institutions will reopen once the Covid-19 situation improves.

The students need not go to school every day as they will have to attend it three-four days a week maintaining health guidelines.The closure of educational institutions may be extended further after observing the current situation.

HSC exam results

Turning to the results of the HSC and its equivalent examinations, the minister said the experts have taken a decision to publish the results after merging the results of both the SSC and JSC.

In that case, 75 percent will be taken from SSC and 25 percent from JSC, and the results will be published within December next, she said.

“A technical committee has been formed in this regard and it has provided a solution with which we can fix the grade,” said Dipu.

The government has extended the closure of educational institutions until December 19, aiming to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (Source: UNB)