ছবি: Collected photo
The admission application process for students up to Grade 9 in government and private schools has started today, Tuesday. From 11 a.m., students can submit applications online, with the deadline set for 5 p.m. on November 30. Admissions will be finalized through a digital lottery system after the application period ends.
According to a notice from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), this year's admission application fee is set at 110 BDT, payable via the state-owned mobile operator Teletalk.
The notice further stated that in line with the National Education Policy 2010, schools must ensure the enrollment of students aged 6 or older. For the academic year 2025, the minimum age for applicants should be 5 years as of January 1, and the maximum age should be 7 years as of December 31, 2024.
Students can apply to up to five schools in order of preference, but if they choose both shifts in a double-shift school, it will count as two choices. Additionally, each class in any school, public or private, is limited to 55 students.
In an effort to enhance transparency, the admission software will restrict students to only one final school selection. Schools in Dhaka city can designate up to three police stations as their "catchment area," from which 40% of seats will be reserved for local students. To benefit from this, applicants must select the relevant catchment area during online application.
Digital Lottery and Result Announcement
Following the application process, a digital lottery will take place, with a tentative lottery date set for December 10, and results expected by December 12, barring any changes.
Merit and Waiting List Admission Process
Final admissions will begin on December 17, based on lottery results, and run through December 21. The first waiting list will open for admissions from December 22-24, followed by the second waiting list from December 26-30.
Admission Fees and Charges
Schools in rural areas will charge a maximum of 500 BDT for admission, including session fees. In municipal and suburban areas, the maximum fee is 1,000 BDT, while metropolitan areas (excluding Dhaka) can charge up to 3,000 BDT. In Dhaka, MPO-affiliated schools can charge up to 5,000 BDT, with partial MPO-affiliated schools allowed up to 8,000 BDT. English-version schools may charge up to 10,000 BDT, while development fees for Dhaka schools are capped at 3,000 BDT.
68% Quota with New Adjustments Excluding Grandchildren of Freedom Fighters
This year, 68% of school seats are reserved under various quotas. The largest, 40%, is designated for students in catchment areas, while other quotas include 5% for children of freedom fighters, 1% for children of employees under the Ministry of Education, 10% for alumni of government primary schools, 2% for students with special needs, and 5% for twins or siblings.
A significant change this year is the removal of the quota for grandchildren of freedom fighters. Previously, if no eligible children of freedom fighters were available, grandchildren were considered for the reserved 5% quota. Now, this quota is strictly reserved for children, and any unfilled seats will be filled from the merit list.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of students participate in the admission lottery, with parents keen to secure seats at top schools. Although some parents called for entrance exams instead of the lottery this year, time constraints prevented changes. The Ministry of Education, however, has indicated it may discuss this issue in the future.
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