Ditch pry terminal exams

Guardians of different schools yesterday demanded cancellation of primary terminal examination from this year, saying the exam boosted "coaching business" at the educational institutions.

Under the banner of Obhibhabok Oikya Forum, a platform of guardians, they at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club alleged that most of the schools in rural and urban areas are forcing their class-V students to attend pre and after-school coaching classes, violating a government policy.

The present government in June 2012 formulated a set of regulations for teachers to curb unauthorised coaching practice at the educational institutions. But teachers are still doing it, and charging money from the guardians, said Ziaul Kabir Dulu, president of the forum.

Reading out a written statement, he said the government as part of its effort to bring changes in the education system had introduced the primary terminal examination in 2009, but it did not bring any positive results for the student.

"Instead, it created a scope for teachers to indulge in coaching business unabated and infused fear of exams among children," Dulu said.

He said some guardians send their children to coaching centres in order to get good results, but many teachers force the students to join coaching classes; otherwise they don't give marks in the exam.

Tania, a mother of a class-V student, said her son was forced to attend coaching classes at his school after regular school hours. "It's a huge burden we are putting on his shoulders in the name of the exam. We want its immediate cancellation," she said.

The forum announced to submit a memorandum to the primary and mass education minister today to press home their demand, and form a human chain in front of the press club on March 25.