Mass education ministry passes JSC, JDC 10 days ahead of the exams

With only 10 days left to Junior School Certificate (JSC) and equivalent examinations, the primary and mass education ministry has declared that they will not take any responsibility for the exams.

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman has made the declaration with anguish over Cabinet’s recent call to revise the proposal for upgrading primary education up to eighth grade instead of fifth.

In May this year, the ministry declared to deal with education related matters up to eighth grade in schools instead of fifth grade.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid called the decision “a one-of-its-kind decision in the history of the country’s education system”.

But only 10 days prior the exams, Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman has called upon the education ministry to take over.

The education minister was not available for his comments on the matter.

The JSC and JDC (Junior Dakhil Certificate) examinations are scheduled to take place from Nov 1 to Nov 17 with the participation of more than 2.2 million candidates.

On May 18, at a meeting over implementing the 2010 Education Policy, the decision for upgrading primary education up to eighth grade was taken in the presence of both Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman.

On June 27, the Cabinet rejected a proposal of mass education ministry to abolish the PEC exams.

Four months into that meeting, Mostafizur told bdnews24.com: “Education ministry must hold the JSC and JDC exams like before. The Primary Education Completion (PEC) exam will be held under our supervision.”

He added that the cabinet has asked to revise the proposal to abolish PEC exams and present it to the cabinet again.

“But they have not specified who should present. Education Ministry should present according to the rules,

“Cabinet has said that the existing exam system will continue until a final decision comes. But they have not specified who will take charge of the approaching exams. I am holding meetings and press conference amid uncertainty,” Mustafizur said with anger.

On May 18, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said: “We have taken the final decision under the National Education Policy and have shifted all the examinations until grade eight to primary section. We shall hand over the section to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education as soon as possible. They will conduct it. A summary of the changes made will be sent to the prime minister.”

Minister Mustafizur said at that time: “Today we are extending primary education up to grade eight. It is a historic moment.”

The primary and mass education ministry prepared and published the schedule for JSC-JDC exams upon consulting with all the education boards afterwards.

“Our ministry has already decided to not to hold the JSC, JDC exams. So the education minister should now hold the press conference. They should take the preparation,” said Minister Mustafizur.

He strongly urged the education ministry to take charge but also expressed frustration as the Cabinet was yet to specify in-charge of the exams.

“Now I understand that neither I nor the education minister has the authority to upgrade primary education up to eighth grade unless Cabinet approves,” he said.

“I have sent the summary to the cabinet. But they (education ministry) must have done so according to the existing rules,” he added.

The minister also said their decision of leaving the charge of JSC, JDC exams had been informed to the education ministry over phone.

Inter-board coordination subcommittee President Prof Mahbubur Rahman told bdnews24.com that preparation for holding the JSC and JDC exams was over.

“Government will decide which ministry will supervise the exams. Examinees will not be affected in any way,” he added.