Primary students may get speaking tests alongside written English exams: Bobby Hajjaj

Speaking tests may be introduced alongside written examinations in English under the next primary education curriculum to improve students' communication skills, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a training workshop at the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) auditorium in Mymensingh today (16 August).

Hajjaj said the next curriculum would not rely solely on written examinations to assess English learning. A speaking test is being planned to assess students' ability to speak and communicate in English, he said.

The state minister also said the government was developing an integrated IT ecosystem to modernise student information management and educational activities. Under the initiative, each primary student would be provided with a unique identification number.

He said changes would also be brought to health, safety and the school environment, including plans to install necessary wash blocks within school buildings instead of maintaining separate facilities.

Hajjaj said visible and qualitative changes could be brought to the country's primary education system within the next two to three years, with a focus on curriculum development, teacher training, values-based education, cultural and sports education, and technology-based learning.

The government also plans to provide primary students with nutritious midday meals, free uniforms, shoes and school bags to ensure that no child remains outside the classroom, he said.

The state minister stressed the need to turn government primary schools into institutions owned and cared for by local communities.

He also said significant progress had been made in planning, piloting and implementing the first 180-day plan for primary education, while targets for the next six months would also be implemented properly.