Primary students must maintain at least 85% attendance to qualify for scholarships

Primary school students must maintain a monthly attendance rate of at least 85% to qualify for scholarships. Additionally, students in grades four to eight from government primary schools, PTI-affiliated test schools, and Child Welfare Trust-run primary schools are required to score at least 40% in their annual examinations to be eligible for scholarships. For students with special needs, the minimum required score is 33%.

Although these criteria are outlined in the implementation guidelines for the primary education scholarship program, they have not been consistently enforced. As a result, students from kindergartens and madrasahs are reportedly receiving stipends after enrolling in government primary schools, often without attending classes.

To address these irregularities, Primary and Mass Education Advisor Professor Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar has been vocal about the issue in recent days. In response, the Directorate of Primary Education has instructed Upazila and Thana education officers to strictly adhere to the guidelines when selecting and verifying scholarship recipients.

Nasima Begum, director of the scholarship branch at the Directorate of Primary Education, told bdnews24.com on Monday night, “Although these provisions are clearly stated in the guidelines, various irregularities have occurred due to non-compliance. There are allegations that scholarships are being granted even when the 85% attendance requirement is not met. In some cases, students from kindergartens and madrasahs have been admitted to government primary schools and are receiving stipends without attending classes.”

She added that the process of selecting new scholarship recipients will begin in January. Nasima shared insights from her recent visits to government primary schools and related offices across the country. Speaking at an event on Monday afternoon, she highlighted concerns about the program's inefficiency, noting, “Despite the financial support provided to students, we are not achieving the desired results.”

The Directorate of Primary Education reports that approximately 14 million students currently receive scholarships. Pre-primary students are given Tk 75 per month, students in grades one to five receive Tk 150, and those in grades six to eight receive Tk 200. A maximum of two students per family can receive the scholarship. However, the mismanagement of the program has raised questions about its effectiveness.