New assessment system proposed for primary education

Highlights:

• Schools will be classified as green, yellow, or red based on performance
• Report includes over 100 recommendations for primary, non-formal education
• Recommendations focus on enhancing learning quality, child's well-being, safety
• Eight key areas are covered, including teaching, teacher development, governance
• Recommendations include education advisory council, permanent education commission

The consultation committee on quality improvement of primary and non-formal education has recommended a new assessment system to replace the Primary Education Completion Examination and similar tests.

Instead, a basic skills assessment, similar to the National Student Assessment but easier to implement, will be introduced.

"The learning progress of each child should be assessed through continuous and annual evaluations," said Professor Manzoor Ahmed, head of the committee, at a press conference titled "Submission of the Report of the Consultation Committee formed to improve the overall quality of primary and non-formal education" at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital this evening.

Earlier in the afternoon, the report was submitted to the chief adviser at his official residence Jamuna.

As part of the proposed changes, schools will be classified into three categories – green, yellow, and red – based on their performance. The responsibility for ensuring that schools achieve green status will lie with the head teacher and the upazila primary education authority.

Manzoor Ahmed, professor emeritus at BRAC University, said the report includes over a hundred recommendations covering eight key areas of primary and non-formal education. 

These recommendations were compiled after consulting with various stakeholders and conducting field visits in 12 upazilas across 11 districts, including remote areas. The proposals are categorised into immediate, mid-term, and long-term actions, he added.

"Two key factors guided our review and recommendations: addressing stagnation in learning quality despite previous efforts, and prioritising a child's learning, well-being, and safety," Prof Manzoor said.

The eight main areas for which recommendations have been made include teaching, learning, and student assessment; teachers and educational staff; accessibility, inclusion, and eliminating discrimination; pre-primary education and child development; non-formal education and out-of-school children; education governance and management; cross-cutting issues; and reform implementation, financing, and next steps.

During the press conference, Prof Manzoor highlighted 15 key recommendations, including forming an advisory council for the entire education sector, establishing a permanent education commission, abolishing the assistant teacher position in favour of recruiting senior teachers, improving the salary structure for educators, launching pilot projects for education decentralization, and introducing programs for out-of-school children. 

Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder noted that the chief adviser listened to the concerns with great interest. "This is an important issue, but it often does not receive the attention it deserves," he said.

He also pointed out that while there is a moral obligation to follow the committee's recommendations, there is no legal requirement. "The government must make a policy decision. Regarding teacher-related recommendations, implementation depends on teachers' acceptance," he added.

The committee, formed on 23 September 2024, is composed of nine members. 

In addition to Prof Manzoor, the committee includes Khandakar Md Asaduzzaman, former secretary and former director general of the Directorate of Primary Education;  Md Rafiquzzaman, registrar of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology and former director general of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education; Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed, former additional secretary; Begum Samsi Hasan, director of Gonoshahajjo Sangstha; Erum Mariam, executive director of BRAC University's BRAC Institute of Educational Development; Mohammad Mahboob Morshed, associate professor at Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research; Md Nurul Alam, former head teacher of Shibram Adarsha Government Primary School.

Primary and mass education ministry Joint Secretary (school) Md Asaduzzaman is the member secretary of the committee.