Dhaka: Around 650,000 children across the country are participating in the Primary Scholarship Examination, as stated by Abu Noor Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, the Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education. “Adequate health personnel have been deployed at every examination centre nationwide to ensure the well-being of students,” Shamsuzzaman informed during a briefing.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Director General highlighted that the examination is being held later than usual this year, resulting in some candidates being unable to participate. However, the attendance rate across centres remains between 77 to 78 percent, which is considered satisfactory. Shamsuzzaman had proactively requested the Ministry of Health to deploy medical teams at every exam centre to protect students from the intense heat and harsh sunlight. Consequently, a sufficient number of doctors and nurses have been assigned across the country.
To ensure comprehensive medical support, the Directorate of Primary Education issued letters to all Upazila Nirbahi Officers, requesting necessary arrangements for deploying health workers at examination centres. Shamsuzzaman confirmed that adequate medical support has been ensured at all centres, with the remaining examinations scheduled for Friday and Saturday, conducting two exams each day.
Out of the 650,000 candidates, 82,500 students will be awarded stipends this year, with 33,000 under the talent pool category and the remainder receiving general stipends. Currently, students receiving general stipends get Taka 250 per month, while talent pool stipend holders receive Taka 350 per month, each for a period of three years.
On the first day of the examination, Shamsuzzaman, along with the State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, visited several examination centres in Dhaka, including Motijheel Government Primary School, Demra Paradar Government Primary School, and Motijheel Ideal School centre. They found the examination environment satisfactory, with a notable student presence and smooth arrangements.
Looking ahead, Shamsuzzaman plans to propose increasing the number of stipend recipients to 100,000 nationwide and recommend raising the stipend amount. Of the total examinees, around 550,000 are from government primary schools, while the remaining 100,000 are from private primary schools.