Nuruddin Jabed, Lakshmipur: Nearly 10 million students of private schools across the country will not be allowed to participate in the government’s fifth-grade primary scholarship examination. The decision, issued by the government through a circular on July 17, has sparked protests over discrimination.

In response, teachers and students from various private schools formed a human chain in Lakshmipur, demanding inclusion in the scholarship exam. The protest was held on Monday (July 28) morning in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on the Lakshmipur-Dhaka Regional Highway, organized under the banner of the Lakshmipur Private School Association (WAMI).

WAMI`s Lakshmipur District General Secretary Habibur Rahman Sabuj, Vice-President Rezaul Karim Sumon, and Sadar Upazila President Md. Hanif, among others, addressed the gathering.

Later, WAMI leaders submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Mosharraf Hossain, urging the withdrawal of the discriminatory directive.

Students Farhan Abrar and Hasibur Rahman Hifaz expressed frustration, saying they have learned they are not eligible to sit for the scholarship exam, which they believe is discriminatory.

Teacher Habibur Rahman Sabuj said that around 10 million students study in private institutions or kindergartens in the country. He pointed out that in previous years, private school students achieved significant success in the primary scholarship exams, formerly known as the Primary Education Completion Scholarship. The government has recently issued a circular excluding private school students from this exam. We demand a revised circular allowing them to participate again, he added.