The primary education completion (PEC) and equivalent terminal examinations would continue till the government took a decision in this regard, primary and mass education minister Mostafizur Rahman clarified yesterday.

“The primary level has to be upgraded to Class VIII. It has to be done as per the National Education Policy 2010. The government is committed to implementing the policy, but it's being delayed. It's not happening the way we want. The process has been stopped for some time,” the minister said at a press conference at the Secretariat following the release of the schedule of PEC and equivalent examinations.

As per the schedule, the PEC and Ebtedayee examinations would begin on November 19 and they would be held at 7,279 centres. At least 31 lakh students would take part in the exams, which would end on November 26.

The examinations would begin at 11 am and continue till 1.30 pm. Students with special needs would get additional 20 minutes.

The minister said there are various problems, including building infrastructure, affecting the plan to upgrade the primary education level up to Class VIII.

Asked about any conflicts between the education ministry and his own ministry, Rahman said: “We might differ on various issues, but we don’t have any conflicts. These two ministries are not the supreme authority to upgrade primary education up to Class VIII.”

“As per the National Education Policy 2010, the primary education would be extended up to Class VIII. In order to achieve the goal, the ministry had proposed the cancellation of the PEC and equivalent examinations. However, the Cabinet Division has rejected the proposal. So, the PEC exams would continue till further decision in this regard,” he added.

The minister said the government has taken several measures to stop corruption, including the leak of question papers, in the education sector. “We have already punished several persons for committing irregularities during examinations,” he added.

This year, 1,299,985 male students and 154,524 female candidates will write the PEC examination, while 153,152 male students and 138,414 female students will appear for the Ebtedayee examination.