Editorial
Better performance at the primary level exam
The gradation system deserves a rethinking
The primary schools and their students have again got nationwide attention with the publication of the results of the Primary Education Terminal and Ebtedayee (madrasa) Examinations for 2010. Interestingly, the score sheet of the examinations has again provided reason for great enthusiasm for the schools situated in the rural areas as they have bagged most of the top positions in order of merit. Such performance by the rural students flies in the face of the commonly held belief that resource-rich city-based schools with better-tutored children from more well-to-do families are foreordained to do better in the exams.
Some features of the results are very reassuring. For instance, the better pass percentage (around 92 per cent) of this year, which is four per cent higher than that of the previous year, is reflective of the fact that the teachers are giving more attention to the classroom instructions. And, of course, students are no doubt working harder. The fact that the girl students have fared better than the boys does also speak well for the encouragement female education is receiving from the state and society at large. Kudos is also due to the primary and mass education ministry for the emphasis they have laid on primary level education through introducing public examination at this level.
While we express our appreciation for these brighter sides of the primary education results, we cannot also forget the students who either failed in the exams or could not make it to the final examination. The figures show that, of more than 2.15 million students who got registered for final exams, only around 1.94 million could finally take the exams. That means more than 0.2 million candidates dropped out of the list of examinees. Add to them another 0.15 million who were unsuccessful. In other words, around 16 per cent of the registered students in the primary final will be facing uncertain future. This is undoubtedly a matter of concern for the parents or guardians of rural children, because given the financial condition of their families, they may not even get a second chance for schooling in their lifetime. The education ministry and especially the schools concerned should look into the causes of the drop-outs and failures and take special measures to ensure that the rates of failures and drop-outs could be gradually reduced in the successive years.
There is another aspect of the primary school final exams that demands further attention. This is about the system of gradation in the exam. It can be seen from the results that out of the 1.95 million students who appeared, 0.2 million, which is more than 10 per cent of the total, passed in the third division. Though these students fall in the category of the successful, their result itself may well come in the way of their entry into the secondary level education. Such a prospect calls for giving a second thought to the prevailing system of gradation at such an early level of education.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
An alarming report on children’s exposure to climate risks
2 hour(s) ago
Editorial
Why is safe water inaccessible for millions despite rising spending?
19 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
BB must confront bad loans’ true scale
18 June 2026, 18:38 PM
Editorial
Dolphin deaths must be investigated
18 June 2026, 08:00 AM
Editorial
Weak policing fuelling rise in crimes
17 June 2026, 18:18 PM
Editorial
Comments