The High Court has declared the decision of the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) that allowed only government primary school students to participate in the Primary Scholarship Examination is illegal.
Barrister Muntasir Ahmed confirmed the High Court’s verdict to journalists on Tuesday.
At the same time, the court has directed the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the DPE to arrange the scholarship examination in line with the 2008 Primary Scholarship Examination Policy, allowing students from private institutions to take part.
A High Court bench comprising Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Rezaul Karim delivered the verdict on Monday after the hearing of a writ petition.
According to the petitioner’s lawyer, the DPE issued a circular on 17 July, stating that only students of government primary schools will be eligible to participate in the scholarship exam. Challenging the legality of that decision, Keraniganj Public Laboratory School Director Md Faruk Hossain along with 42 others filed the writ petition.
Following a hearing on 2 September, the court issued a rule and temporarily suspended the effectiveness of the 17 July circular. The court also sought explanations as to why the decision should not be declared ultra vires (beyond legal authority) and why the authorities should not be directed to conduct the exam as per the 2008 policy.
The 2025 Primary Scholarship Examination for government schools is scheduled to be held from 21 to 24 December.
