HC directs private school students be allowed in scholarship exams
The Directorate of Primary Education, in a circular issued on 17 July, announced that only students of government educational institutions would be allowed to participate in the primary scholarship examination
The High Court (HC) has directed the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) to organise the scholarship examination, allowing students of private schools to participate under the 2008 Primary Scholarship Examination Policy.
A High Court Division Bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Rezaul Karim passed the verdict yesterday (3 November), declaring the DPE's decision to allow only government school students to participate illegal.
The DPE, in a circular issued on 17 July, announced that only students of government educational institutions would be allowed to participate in the primary scholarship examination.
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Earlier, a writ petition challenging the decision was filed by 42 individuals, including Md Faruk Hossain - director of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School - along with teacher and guardian representatives.
Following the preliminary hearing of the writ, the High Court on 2 September issued a rule and stayed the operation of the July 17 circular on an interim basis.
The court, in its rule, asked why the circular allowing only students of government educational institutions to take part in the primary scholarship examination should not be declared without lawful authority.
The rule also questioned why directions should not be given to hold the scholarship examination in accordance with the 2008 Primary Scholarship Examination Policy.
After the final hearing of the rule, the High Court declared the rule absolute and delivered the verdict.
Advocate Niaj Morshed moved the plea before the court, while Muntasir Uddin Ahmed argued for DPE. Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaj Kabir stood for the state.
