The Movement for Human Rights and Good Governance Foundation has challenged the government decision to introduce admission tests at schools across Bangladesh.
A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking cancellation of the government decision to hold admission tests at educational institutions across Bangladesh in 2027.
The Movement for Human Rights and Good Governance Foundation filed the petition on Wednesday, October 7. Its Executive Director, Minhaj Uddin Ahmed, is the petitioner.
The writ names the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), and a Deputy Secretary of DSHE as respondents.
According to the petitioner’s lawyer, the government had introduced a digital lottery system for admission to government schools from Class 1 to Class 9 for the 2021 academic year. The system was intended to replace admission tests.
However, after the BNP government came to power, it decided to cancel the lottery system and bring back admission tests. Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan announced the decision at a press conference on March 16.
The Ministry of Education issued a notification on the same day cancelling the lottery system. A later revised notification said admission tests would be held for Classes 2 to 9, while admission to Class 1 would continue through a lottery.
The petitioner’s lawyer said the decision led to widespread debate over the future of school admissions. Educationists also raised concerns that admission tests could increase the coaching business and put additional pressure on young students.
The lawyer argued that the government did not conduct adequate research or assessment before cancelling the lottery system. He also said stakeholders were not properly consulted before the decision was made.
According to the petitioner, school admission tests could increase inequality because families with lower incomes may struggle to pay for coaching and private tutoring. The lawyer said this could place children from poorer families at a disadvantage.
The petition also raises concerns about possible corruption, favoritism and discrimination in the admission process. “We do not want young children to grow up carrying the burden of admission tests every year,” the lawyer said.
He added that the petition seeks cancellation of the decision because of these concerns.
The lawyer said the writ petition may be heard next week by a High Court bench comprising Justice S M Moniruzzaman and Justice S M Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud.
The next step will depend on whether the High Court takes up the petition for hearing and what orders it may issue.
