Students, parents welcome return of primary scholarship exam: State minister

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj
today (15 April) said students and parents are extremely delighted as the
primary scholarship examination has been reinstated after a prolonged
suspension.
"The government's core
objective is to encourage students to attend school and pursue education
through various initiatives, including scholarships. In line with this, there
are plans to carry out the programme on a larger scale in the future," the
state minister told reporters after inspecting the primary scholarship
examination centre at Motijheel Government Primary School in the morning.
Earlier, the state minister also
visited the Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School examination centre.
"The primary purpose of the inspection was to ensure
that students can sit their exams comfortably with all necessary facilities in
place. We found that school authorities have made all the required
arrangements," he said, adding that he personally visited two centres on
the day.
Bobby Hajjaj said updates from
across the country are being collected through district and upazila education
officers. "All reports received so far have been positive."
However, he acknowledged that some
student absenteeism was observed and said steps would be taken to improve
attendance in the future.
"Many measures will be
introduced to encourage students and parents. Existing initiatives will also
continue. I have spoken with parents; they have certain demands which the
government will try to address through dialogue in the coming days."
The state minister disclosed that the government is considering revisions to
the primary scholarship examination policy, including a fresh review of
scholarship amounts and the number of beneficiaries.
New criteria may be set separately
for students at the government and non-government levels to further motivate
students and their families.
Highlighting the government's push
to boost literacy, Bobby Hajjaj said the current government aims to raise the
literacy rate to the target of 96 per cent.
To achieve this, plans have been
drawn up to strengthen non-formal education alongside formal primary schooling,
he added.
Primary and Mass Education Ministry
Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana and Director General of the Directorate of
Primary Education Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman were also present during the
inspection.















