Evaluate PEC exams’ necessity: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to evaluate the necessity of primary education completion examinations, showing her intention to reduce the burden on children. 

"The prime minister has asked the authorities to prepare a report on whether it is necessary to abolish the examinations as there are opinions both in favour and against it," said Planning Minister MA Mannan. 

Sheikh Hasina issued the directives at a meeting of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council in the capital.

"Finland and other developed countries do not have any such examinations," said Mannan quoting the PM while briefing reporters after the meeting. 

"In Australia, classroom performance is taken into consideration to evaluate students. There is no test. We can abolish the primary education completion examinations and adopt that system," she added. 

The prime minister asked the authorities concerned to provide children with a bigger scope to play by reducing exam pressure on them. 

"Excesses are being done over children's exams," criticised the premier, asking authorities concerned to reduce the backbreaking weight of books. 

Earlier in March, she directed the authorities concerned to abolish examinations up to class III.  

"There should be no exams from up to class-III," said the premier reiterating her earlier order. 

The Ecnec meeting approved a project on establishing primary schools and developing infrastructures including beautification in the Dhaka metropolitan and Purbachal areas. 

The cost of the project has been estimated at Tk1,159 crore. The project includes construction of 2,975 new rooms of 154 educational institutions in the metropolitan area. 

The meeting also approved a separate project of Tk944.80 crore for renovation of some selected educational institutions in the Haor region.