MM Jashim :The Ministry of Education is contemplating alternative to university and college admission tests aiming to save time, money and harassments of both the students and guardians.The ministry’s argument is that if the admission tests are withdrawn, students having brilliant results can seek admission to any university and college with their preferred subject.Education Ministry Secretary Nazrul Islam told The New Nation on Monday that the alternative to honours entry test should be found out as trading by coaching centres have recorded mushroom growth taking the advantage of admission tests.”The government has been discussing the matter for long time but the autonomous universities like Dhaka, Rajshahi, Jahangirnagar and Chittagong universities have been opposing it,” the secretary added.Meanwhile, the Dhaka University authorities have closed the opportunity to sit for entry test for second time. But the admission seekers have been protesting against the decision.Nazrul Islam, however, said the decision about the entry examination will be taken after discussion with the respective university authorities and other related personalities.Currently, the students have to sit for admission tests for seats in public universities, medicals and dental colleges after completing their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. With a view to taking preparation for the entry tests, the students have to spend a huge amount of money for coaching, buying coaching guide, form fill up as well as transport cost to attend coaching centres.
