Writ challenges govt decision to reintroduce school admission tests
The petitioner says the decision to scrap the lottery system was taken without adequate research or consultation and could increase inequality, coaching business and pressure on children.
A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the government's decision to introduce admission tests for students seeking admission to government and private secondary schools from the 2027 academic year.
Minhaz Uddin Ahmed, executive director of the Movement for Human Rights and Good Governance Foundation, filed the petition today (7 October), his lawyer Zahid Talukder told journalists
The education secretary, secretary of primary and mass education, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and a deputy secretary of the DSHE have been made respondents.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The petition may come up for hearing next week before a High Court bench comprising Justice SM Moniruzzaman and Justice SM Iftekhar Uddin Mahmud, said the petitioner's lawyer.
Under the government's previous policy, students seeking admission to government schools from Class 1 to Class 9 were selected through a digital lottery instead of admission tests.
The government later cancelled the lottery system and decided to introduce admission tests from Class 2 to Class 9, while retaining the lottery system for Class 1.
Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon announced the decision at a press conference on 16 March, followed by a government notification.
The petitioner argues that the decision was taken without adequate research, data or proper assessment and without sufficient consultation with stakeholders.
Lawyer Zahid Talukder said the decision had sparked debate among educationists, who warned that bringing back admission tests could fuel the coaching business and place additional pressure on young students.
He said the system could also widen social inequality, as children from low-income families may not be able to afford coaching or private tutors, putting them at a disadvantage in admission tests.
"School admission tests will create inequality in society," he said, adding that the system could also increase corruption and favouritism.
The petitioner is seeking cancellation of the government's decision to introduce admission tests, arguing that children should not have to bear the burden of competitive admission tests every year.
