HC questions legality of children’s expulsion from Primary Education Completion exams

The High Court today questioned the legality of the expulsion of children from ongoing Primary Education Completion (PEC) and its madrasa 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 and the directives given by the department of primary education under which the children were expelled should not be declared illegal.

In the rule, it also asked them to show cause why they should not be directed to take necessary steps to take re-examination of the children who were expelled from the PEC and Ebtedayee terminal examinations for doing “unfair means”.

Secretaries to the ministry of primary and mass education, director general of the department of primary education, director general of national primary education academy and chairman of Madrasah Education Board have been 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 Bangla daily Desh Rupantor on November 19 headlined “PEC Parikkhay Shishu Bahiskar Keno (why children expelled in PSC examination)”.

Around 15 students have been expelled from ongoing PEC and Ebtedayee terminal examinations started on Sunday (November 17).

Citing opinions from some academicians, guardians and psychiatrists, the news reports said the children have been mentally tortured by expelling them from examinations.     

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