Responding to criticism over the abolition of the lottery system in school admissions, Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said, “I have faced a lot of criticism for scrapping the lottery system, and it continues. I have been accused of creating inequality between the rich and the poor.”
“The lottery system does not determine who is meritorious and who is not, nor does it reduce inequality between the rich and the poor,” he added.
He made these remarks on Sunday (April 12) while speaking as the chief guest at a programme held at the auditorium of Azimpur Government Girls’ School and College in the capital.
The minister said, “Students were admitted through the lottery system, but how many actually got admitted purely through the lottery, and how many through partiality or lobbying—I know everything. I have all the information. I am stating clearly that the lottery does not determine merit.”
He further questioned, “There are good schools everywhere. Why should children go elsewhere instead of attending the school near their homes? Are teachers not responsible for this?”
The minister held an exchange meeting with centre secretaries of the Dhaka region in preparation for the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations. The meeting was organised by the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.
The event was chaired by the Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board, Professor Dr. Khandoker Ehsanul Kabir. Officials from various education boards and the Ministry of Education were also present.