State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Wednesday said students and parents are extremely delighted as the primary scholarship examination has been reinstated after a prolonged suspension.

“The government's core objective is to encourage students to attend school and pursue education through various initiatives, including scholarships. In line with this, there are plans to carry out the programme on a larger scale in the future,” the state minister told reporters after inspecting the primary scholarship examination centre at Motijheel Government Primary School in the morning.

Earlier, the state minister also visited the Motijheel Ideal Government Primary School examination centre.

“The primary purpose of the inspection was to ensure that students can sit their exams comfortably with all necessary facilities in place. We found that school authorities have made all the required arrangements,” he said, adding that he personally visited two centres on the day.

Bobby Hajjaj said updates from across the country are being collected through district and upazila education officers. “All reports received so far have been positive.”

However, he acknowledged that some student absenteeism was observed and said steps would be taken to improve attendance in the future.

“Many measures will be introduced to encourage students and parents. Existing initiatives will also continue. I have spoken with parents; they have certain demands which the government will try to address through dialogue in the coming days.”

The state minister disclosed that the government is considering revisions to the primary scholarship examination policy, including a fresh review of scholarship amounts and the number of beneficiaries.

New criteria may be set separately for students at the government and non-government levels to further motivate students and their families.

Highlighting the government's push to boost literacy, Bobby Hajjaj said the current government aims to raise the literacy rate to the target of 96 per cent.

To achieve this, plans have been drawn up to strengthen non-formal education alongside formal primary schooling,he added.

Primary and Mass Education Ministry Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana and Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman were also present during the inspection.