Bangladesh to restore examinations for Class 1 and Class 2

The requirement was lifted for the two grades when a new curriculum was implemented in 2023

Students in the primary grades of Class 1 and Class 2 will once again face regular examinations.

The two classes had previously discontinued exams in 2023 following the implementation of a new curriculum formulated by the previous government.

However, after three years, the examination system will return to the exam system for students in these two classes from this year.

In addition to the examinations, there will also be continuous evaluation of students.

The National Curriculum Coordination Committee (NCCC) made the decision during its revision of the evaluation system in the national curriculum.

Md Safayet Alam, senior expert at the Curriculum Development and Evaluation Branch of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board-NCTB, told bdnews24.com on Monday afternoon: "A decision was taken to change the evaluation system for grades one to five at the primary level in the NCCC meeting on Jan 26."

The NCCC meeting was chaired by Primary and Mass Education Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana.

According to the new curriculum formulated by the previous government in 2023, there was no assessment for students at the pre-primary level. The new curriculum instituted continuous assessment in all subjects in Class 1 and Class 2, with 50 percent summative assessment (exams) and 50 percent continuous assessment in textbook subjects for Classes 3-5.

After the government changeover on Aug 5, 2024, the new curriculum was scrapped at the secondary level.

The primary level curriculum, however, was maintained with changes in the assessment system.

There were no examinations for Class 1 and Class 2 in 2025. The assessment system was revised so that 30 percent of marks came from continuous assessment, while 70 percent were based on exams.

Mafroha Nazneen, senior specialist at the Teacher Training and Assessment Branch of the NCTB, explained the revised assessment system to bdnews24.com as per the NCCC decision.

She said, "In Class 1 and Class 2 continuous assessment will account for 50 percent of marks and summative assessment or examination will account for the other 50 percent for subjects where teaching activities are conducted through textbooks and the guidance of teachers. For those subjects where teaching activities are conducted exclusively through the guidance of teachers, there will only be continuous assessment (100 percent) and no summative assessment.

"In Classes 3-5, 30 percent (of marks) will be based on continuous assessment and 70 percent on summative assessment for subjects where teaching activities are conducted through textbooks and the guidance of teachers. In these three classes, for those subjects where teaching activities are conducted exclusively through the guidance of teachers, there will only be continuous assessment (100 percent) and no summative assessment."

Stating that the new assessment system will take effect this year, she added: "Each government primary school will prepare the question papers for the final examinations under its own initiative. It this is not possible, it can prepare question papers alongside several neighbouring schools. At least 30 percent of the questions in the summative assessment for each subject in each quarter should be from the textbook exercises."

After officially receiving the minutes of the NCCC meeting, the NCTB will issue instructions for schools regarding the assessment system and send it to the Department of Primary Education, the official said.

When asked if there is any change in pre-primary assessment, she added: "No. As before, there will be no pre-primary assessment."