Bangladesh scraps lottery system for school admissions

Admission tests will be held in place of lotteries for admissions, says Education Minister Ehsanul

The Ministry of Education has decided to scrap the lottery system for student admissions to new schools.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday: “We are making arrangements to hold tests instead of a lottery for the first admissions of the year. We are making the announcement beforehand so that everyone gets a chance.”

“We are withdrawing the lottery system. That’s it.”

The education minister indicated that tests will be held for admission to all grades.

The lottery system for school admissions is being abolished following a month of consultations with stakeholders, he added.

Addressing concerns that a return to entrance exams might fuel the "coaching centre and guidebook" market, he dismissed such fears.

Ehsanul also critiqued the outgoing system, stating that a lottery "cannot be part of any formal education system”.

Previously, students were admitted to the first grade through a lottery rather than an examination.

The lottery system for admissions was introduced for all classes in the 2021 academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students for admission from the first to the ninth grades were selected through a lottery this year as well.