The English version under national curriculum is becoming popular, as the number of students has increased in reputed schools across the country.
The guardians prefer the English version education to keep pace with the ‘fast growing demand’ for English knowing people.
Besides, many guardians who used to send their children to English medium schools are now sending their kids to the English version of reputed schools as it is less costly.
Cashing in many guardians’ preference for giving their children over to the English version, many schools started opening English version in the cities, which has now spread to some district towns.
Sujana Akhter, a guardian, told The New Nation on Monday that she preferred Rajuk Uttara Model School and College for admitting her son in English version.
“I have taken the decision as studying in English version under national curriculum is less costly and my son can learn English like the English medium school,” she said.
Capital’s reputed educational institutions like Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, Rajuk Uttara Model School and College, Monipur School and College, Scholars School, Ideal School and College in Motijheel, Milestone School, Mohammadpur Preparatory School, Faizur Rahman Ideal School, BIAM School and College, South Point School, Willes Little Flower School, Dhaka Residential Model College and Khilgaon Model School have English version beside the Bangla version.
Department of Primary Education (DPE) officials said that a total of 10,573 students took part in the Primary Education Completion examination in the English version this year while the number was 4,751 in 2012.
In 2016, a total of 7,747 students from Dhaka Division took part in the examination in English version while the number was 2,379 in 2012.
From Chittagong Division, 1,574 students took part in the exam in English version this year against 1,148 students of 2012.
A total of 804 students from Sylhet Division took part in the examination pursuing English version while the number was 495 in 2012.
From Rajshahi Division, 403 students took part in the exam in the English version this year while the number was 242 in 2012.
A total of 6,255 students in 2013, 7,012 in 2014, and 8,908 in 2015 took part in the Primary Education Completion exam in the English version.
National Curriculum Textbook Board (NCTB) sources said that the DSHE sent to them order for books for 54,200 students in 2016 while it was 33,000 in 2012.
Director General of DSHE Professor Wahiduzzaman said, “There is a worldwide demand for the English language, so many guardians send their children to English version out of the thought that their children will find higher education easy.”
Ideal School and College, Motijheel Principal Shahan Ara Begum said that her school had about 3,000 students in English version in 2012, which swelled to 5,000 in 2016.
“Many guardians who used to send their children to English medium schools are now sending their children to English version,” she said.
