High Court permits private students to sit for Primary Scholarship Exam

The High Court has declared invalid the Directorate of Primary Education's decision restricting primary scholarship exams to government school students only, allowing private institutions' candidates to participate. The court directed the Primary and Mass Education Ministry and the Directorate to ensure private students can sit for the December 21–24 exam.

In a ruling on Monday, a bench of Justices Md. Mazibur Rahman Mia and Rezaul Karim finalized the writ, declaring the July 17 circular unlawful. The petition was filed by 42 individuals, including Mohammad Faruk Hossain, Principal of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School, along with teachers and parents.

The court also sought reasons why the circular shouldn't be voided under the 2008 Primary Scholarship Exam Policy, which permits private primary schools, registered kindergartens, community schools, and registered/temporary institutions to apply. A rule was issued on September 2, suspending the circular interimly.

Attorney Niaz Morshed, representing the petitioners, told Prothom Alo, "The High Court has declared the July 17 circular invalid. Private students can now take the exam as per the 2008 policy. The ministry and directorate have 15 days to comply."

The Directorate's lawyer, Muntasir Uddin Ahmed, said, "The court ruled private students can participate. We’ll appeal to the Appellate Division."

The exam, introduced in 1981, aims to aid meritorious low-income students. The decision ensures broader access amid ongoing education reforms.