The government is planning to make the lottery system mandatory for admission to class-I in all schools from the next academic year. The system was introduced in 317 government schools for the current session. The feedback the government has got from all quarters is positive. “We have received very positive response from guardians and students, as the lottery system was transparent. There were numerous allegations of corruption in admission tests for class-I. Besides, children were put under pressure and had to face stiff competition in the tests,” said professor Noman-Ur-Rashid, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.
The Holy Cross School and College, SOS Herman Mainer and YWCA Schools introduced the lottery system long ago. Viqarunnisa Noon started the new system from this year, said Rashid. “We would make the lottery system mandatory for all schools from 2012. The admission process must be completed by December, and classes should start from January 1, 2012,” he said.
The education minister, Nurul Islam Nahid, said the government was planning to make it mandatory for all schools from next year. A circular will be issued after a meeting is held at the ministry soon. In case of violation, the school concerned would be penalised.
Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee of the education ministry and also chairman of the governing body of the Motijheel Ideal School and College, said: “Early this year, we decided in principle that the lottery system will be implemented for class-I from the next academic session. We are ready to implement the education ministry decision. For various reasons, we could not implement it this year.”
The lottery system ensures that students from dissimilar families are selected for admission to their desired institutions, said an education ministry official. “The future will show that it has brought about changes in the quality of schools and students. The system is already in place in many countries,” he said.
There are 15 schools in the capital, including, Viqarunnisa, Motijheel Ideal and the Government Laboratory, which are most sought after by parents. At least 10 students compete for a single seat in such schools. Several coaching centres too are part of the corruption in the admission test system. Every year, nearly 10 lakh students are enrolled in class-I in all public, non-government, KG schools and NGO-run schools, as well as in madrasas, here.
Courtesy of The Independent
