Primary Scholarships May Increase in Number and Amount: State Minister Bobby Hajjaj

The number of scholarships and the amount of money for primary level students may be increased, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has indicated.

The minister made the remark on Wednesday (15 April) while speaking to journalists after inspecting the Primary Scholarship Examination centre at Motijheel Government Primary School in the capital.

He said, “The government is considering changes in the policy for the primary scholarship examination. We will review the amount of scholarship money and the number of students who will receive it. New criteria may be set for both government and non-government students so that students and guardians become more encouraged.”

Highlighting the goal of increasing the literacy rate, he said the current government aims to raise the literacy rate to 96 percent as per the target. To achieve this, plans have been taken to strengthen both formal primary education and non-formal education systems.

Regarding the reintroduction of the Primary Scholarship Examination after 16 years, the State Minister said students and guardians are very happy with the decision. The government’s main objective is to encourage students to attend school and continue their education through initiatives like scholarships. The programme will be expanded further in the coming days.

During the visit, Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman were also present.

The minister added that the main purpose of the inspection was to ensure students receive all necessary facilities to take the exam comfortably. He noted that school authorities had made proper arrangements. Reports received from across the country so far have been positive, though some student absences were observed. Steps will be taken to increase attendance in the future.