Dhaka: Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today announced that the government is reviewing the current primary school admission process, with a decision on the system for 2027 to be made after consultations with relevant stakeholders. Responding to a supplementary question from Md. Abul Hasnat of the Cumilla-4 constituency in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS), Milon highlighted that admission pressure is primarily an urban issue, particularly in Dhaka, whereas rural schools experience less competition due to lower student numbers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Milon explained that the lottery system was previously introduced to manage admission pressure in city schools. However, he expressed skepticism about its effectiveness, stating, “I personally do not think it is a very logical system.” The government plans to hold seminars and discussions with stakeholders, including parents, to gather public opinion before finalizing the admission system for January 2027.
During the session, Hasnat Abdullah raised concerns about the transition from merit-based admission to a lottery system at the primary level, arguing that it has diminished the quality of feeder institutions and, consequently, the quality of students entering universities. In response, Milon acknowledged the complexity of integrating Bangladesh’s multiple education streams, including Bangla medium, English medium, madrasa, and Qawmi systems.
Milon also revealed that a committee has been formed to bring English-medium schools under a regulatory framework aligned with national policies. Efforts are underway to reform the Ebtedayee (primary madrasa) system and explore ways to incorporate Qawmi-based education within a broader national framework. “We are taking initiatives to gradually coordinate these different streams so that the education system becomes more unified in the future,” he added.