The current academic year is coming to an end with ‘Auto Pass’!Educational institutions across the country are closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It is not possible to say exactly when the educational activities will be normal. In this situation, the idea of ’auto pass’ is going on after the end of the academic year. According to sources in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, a quick decision will be taken after talking to experts.
According to the source, if it is possible to open the school between September and November, the examination will be taken in a short syllabus. And if that is not possible, ‘auto pass’ will be given. In both cases the essential lessons of the textbook or part of the syllabus that cannot be taught will be added to the next class. An expert-level meeting of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has been convened on Wednesday to finalize this ‘recovery plan’ for education.
It is learned that the National Academy for Primary Education (NAPE) has prepared a ‘recovery plan’ for the primary. The Bangladesh Secondary Examination Development Unit (BEDU) has prepared a ‘recovery plan’ for the secondary. In the meantime, both the organizations have submitted their plans to the concerned ministries. A meeting has been called at the NCTB to finalize the plan. If necessary, NCTB will finalize the ‘Recovery Plan’ by mapping ‘Curriculum’ for each category.
Rabiul Kabir Chowdhury, Senior Expert (Testing and Evaluation), BEDU, said, “We have submitted a detailed plan on how the school will reopen in September, what will happen next in October or November.” If it is possible to open the school by November, short examinations will be held. If that is not possible, we have asked for auto promotion. ‘
He said, “If it is not possible to open the school till November, the meritorious students can be tested in December for scholarships while maintaining social distance.”
Five or 10 percent students from each school will sit for this test. In this case, the concerned authorities will decide the percentage of scholarship examination.
BEDU further said that if the school reopens in September, the syllabus may be reduced to 100 marks. However, if it is opened in October or November, the test number 50 will have to be organized. And if that is not possible, the students will go to the next class through ‘auto pass’ without any test.
NAPE Director General on the primary ‘recovery plan’. Shah Alam said, ‘Work is underway with plans to start class activities in September and October. The syllabus must be short in this plan which is made keeping in view the learning outcomes of the children according to their age. In this case, there will be necessary lessons for the next class and less important lessons will be left out. ‘
According to sources in the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, National Academy for Primary Education is working on evaluating the curriculum and syllabus with the aim of completing the class activities in December. Two plans have been made for this purpose. The first plan is to start class activities on September 01. In the second plan, it has been said that the activities will start from October 01.
National Academy for Primary Education says that if the classes start on September 01, the first to fourth classes will continue until November 30. The annual exam will be in December. The fifth class will continue till November 15. And if the class starts from October 01, there will be first to fifth class till December 20. In that case, the ministry will decide when the annual and PEC exams will be taken.
Secretary of the Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education. Mahbub Hossain said, “We are working on a recovery plan. Since it is not possible to say when the school will open, it is not possible for us to specify much. ‘
According to sources, a meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office last week with senior officials of the two ministries on the ‘recovery plan’ for education. From there it is said to end the current academic year in December. If necessary, it is said to pass the next class without examination. It is learned that the two ministries will meet again soon after finalizing their plans.
News Room, August 11,2020