PSC, Ebtedayee Exams: HC questions legality of 15 students’ expulsion

The High Court yesterday questioned the legality of children’s expulsion from the ongoing Primary School Certificate (PSC) and its equivalent Ebtedayee terminal examinations.

Issuing a suomoto (voluntary) rule, the HC asked the respondents to explain in two weeks why the expulsion of children from the PSC and Ebtedayee terminal examinations should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench also asked why the directive of Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) to expel the children should not be declared illegal.

The court also asked respondents of the suomoto to show cause for which it should not take necessary steps for reexamination of the children who were expelled from PSC and Ebtedayee terminal examinations.

Secretaries to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, director general of Directorate of Primary Education, director general of National Academy for Primary Education and chairman of Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board were made respondents to the rule.

The HC bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the suomoto rule following a report published on the Bangla daily Desh Rupantor on November 19 with a headline “PSC Parikkhay Shishu Bahiskar Keno”.

Around 15 students have been expelled from ongoing PSC and Ebtedayee examinations started on November 19.

Citing opinions from some academicians, guardians and psychiatrists, the news reports said the children had been mentally tortured after being expelled from examinations.

Advocate AM Jamiul Hoque Faisal and three other lawyers placed the news report before the HC bench for necessary order to stop expulsion of children from the PSC and Ebtedayee examinations.