A group of English medium students have staged protests demanding that in-person examinations be cancelled given that education institutions remained closed for nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Students gathered in front of the National Press Club on Saturday, calling for the alternative “portfolio of evidence” option provided by education boards Edexcel and Cambridge.
The portfolio of evidence evaluates the grades based on attendance, mocks and assignments.
The students said the portfolio of evidence would help cope with learning loss due to the two-year school closures, and stressed that many countries are already using the method.
“Due to the Covi-19 pandemic, the syllabus for Bangla medium schools have been shortened. It's fair,” said Al Amin, an A-level candidate from American Standard International School.
“We want evidence-based tests that include model tests, assignments and attendance,” he added.
Another A-level candidate, Zaima Towheed, said clearance from the Education Ministry is required for the POE option.
“We did apply and the education minister said that she’d approve it. But we did not get clearance at the last minute,” she added.
Protesters said that a letter signed by nearly 6,000 students has been sent to the Education Ministry for approval.