College admission process begins today amid jitters

As college admission applications begin to be accepted online from today, apprehension runs high among 14.52 lakh students passing this year's SSC and equivalent exams and their parents over whether last year's complexities would reappear.

The online application system opened last year where students got to state five colleges of their preference and the boards specified which college to enroll to following a merit list based on the SSC and equivalent exam results.

However, an apparent lack of preparation on the government's part led many of the over 11 lakh applicants to face complexities, including naming of colleges not on choice lists and far away from the residence concerned and males being offered women's colleges.

Dhaka Education Board officials assured that similar problems would not surface as they were now more experienced. The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology will continue providing technical assistance, they said.

A student this year will be able to name up to 10 colleges of their preference logging in to www.xiclassadmission.gov.bd and paying Tk 150. Another 10 can be named individually through SMS, each time costing Tk 120.

Applications, including of those passing in 2015 and 2014, will be accepted till June 9. The list with the college specified for each student will be published on June 16.

Students will be able to enrol from June 18 to 30. Admission on payment of late fees will be accepted from July 10 to 20, according to education ministry guidelines issued this month. Classes begin on July 10.

The government also fixed the admission fees. Colleges in rural or municipal areas cannot charge over Tk 1,000; in district towns Tk 2,000; and in metropolitan areas other than Dhaka over Tk 3,000.

MPO-enlisted colleges in Dhaka metropolis can collect a maximum Tk 5,000. Those enjoying the facilities partially can charge a maximum Tk 9,000 for Bangla and Tk 10,000 for English version.