Editorial
Admission test crisis
We do not want to see a repeat every year
The ordeal for the students, as well as their parents, to get admitted to a good school, it seems, will never end. The picture of the little girl sobbing in an examination room of a school and hundreds of parents waiting outside, on the first page of The Daily Star last Monday, sadly and clearly tells us the trauma and difficulties both go through at this time of the year. There is no respite to the ordeal or indication of significant changes in the system. But for how long should the parents and their toddlers be made to face such distress? Lack of adequate number of schools where quality education is provided, in addition lack of enough seats in the existing schools make the plight of the parents even more acute. There have been repeated pleas from various corners to bring a proper system in the admission process. Allegations of irregularities, corruption in the admission process at the government schools have been abounding over the years. We all hoped that the authorities would take some measures at least to minimise the predicament of the parents. And these days tendency of the parents to get their children admitted to an English medium school has only worsened the situation. Taking advantage of it, many English medium schools are sprouting like mushrooms, in many areas, especially the affluent localities. And the fees in such schools are quite high. But we wonder whether quality education is ensured by these novices in the arena. We would like to know from the authorities whether they conduct any routine inspections so that the parents are not deceived. And now, according to reports, many schools are flouting rules by holding admission tests before completion of the final examinations. Naturally those students changing schools are likely to fare badly in both the examinations. But do the school authorities really care? They are, as reported, more careful about 'complete vacation for the teachers and staff after final exams'! They also, through this process, want to ensure 'optimum number of students for the upcoming year' even if it means not doing well in exams for the students. We simply hope that the education ministry would take necessary actions, as promised by the State Minister for Education, against the schools who turn a blind eye to the genuine problems of the students and their guardians.
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