The government is moving towards a major shift in the assessment system at the primary level, aiming to better evaluate students’ learning progress. Alongside continuous assessment, a combined system of written, oral, and practical examinations — termed summative assessment — has been proposed, which may come into effect from the current academic year.
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has finalized the draft assessment guidelines after reviewing feedback from stakeholders and sent it to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for approval. A special review meeting is scheduled for 13 January, where top ministry and primary education officials will decide whether the new system will be implemented this year.
According to the proposed guidelines, students from grades one to five will face compulsory oral and practical tests in addition to continuous assessment. To be promoted to the next grade, students must secure a minimum of 40 percent marks, while the pass threshold for children with special needs has been set at 33 percent.
Students will also be required to maintain at least 85 percent attendance in each term. Those unable to sit for examinations due to illness or unavoidable circumstances will be allowed to take an alternative test within 10 working days. Results will be published using four letter grades — A, B, C, and D.
NCTB Chairman (additional duty) Md Mahbubul Haque Patwary said the guidelines had been designed to ensure effective learning assessment. “Once the ministry gives final approval, we are prepared to implement the new system,” he added.
Under the new structure, grades one and two will have 50 marks for continuous assessment and 50 for summative assessment. For grades three to five, 30 marks will be allocated for continuous assessment and 70 for summative assessment, including written, oral, and practical components.
Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman said all aspects of the new system will be thoroughly reviewed before its introduction. “Ensuring students’ welfare and the quality of education is our prime objective,” he said.
As per the proposed framework, students’ overall performance will be measured through class activities, textbook-based tasks, class tests, and summative assessments across three terms in each academic year.
