A legal notice has been served on the government demanding an end to admission tests at the primary level, a ban on unauthorised pre-primary classes such as Play, Nursery, KG-1 and KG-2, and a halt to the use of textbooks beyond those approved by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).
Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, a Supreme Court lawyer, issued the notice in the public interest on Thursday. It was sent by registered post to the cabinet secretary, the secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the director general of the Directorate of Primary Education and the NCTB chairman.
The notice calls for effective measures to address the issues within five days. It warns that failure to act will prompt the filing of a public interest writ petition with the High Court Division under Article 102 of the Constitution to safeguard children's welfare.
Citing Article 17 of the Constitution and the Compulsory Primary Education Act, 1990, the notice says the state is obligated to ensure universal, accessible and compulsory primary education. However, it alleges that commercial interests have increasingly influenced primary education.
According to the notice, children aged three to five are enrolled in multiple stages, including Play, Nursery, KG-1 and KG-2, exposing them to excessive academic work and additional textbooks. The notice argues that this can undermine their childhood, mental development and creativity.
It calls for the discontinuation of unauthorised courses and the retention of a single, government-approved pre-primary grade.
The notice also raises concerns over primary-level admission procedures involving written examinations, screening tests and oral interviews. Mamun argues that competitive admission tests can cause fear and mental stress among young children and undermine their self-confidence. He has therefore demanded the complete abolition of such tests to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable learning environment.
The notice further objects to the use of supplementary materials, including grammar books, workbooks and reference texts, beyond those prescribed by the NCTB. It alleges that some educational institutions work with commercial publishers to impose excessive books and curriculum requirements on children, risking physical fatigue, mental exhaustion and restricted creative development.
It also argues that children should not be subjected to rote learning from an early age. Instead, they should have opportunities to develop independent thinking, imagination and creativity.
According to the notice, excessive academic pressure runs counter to the principles enshrined in Articles 17, 27, 31 and 32 of the Constitution, which address education, equality, legal protection, and the right to life and personal liberty.
The notice demands that unauthorised pre-primary courses be discontinued and primary-level admission tests prohibited within five days. It also calls for punitive measures, including cancellation of registration, against institutions that require textbooks beyond those prescribed by the NCTB.
In addition, it proposes forming monitoring teams at the upazila and district levels to ensure compliance.
The notice warns that a public interest litigation petition will be filed with the High Court if the authorities fail to take the requested steps within the stipulated period.