Primary Scholarship Examination 2025 was held across all seven upazilas of Satkhira district on Wednesday, but a significant number of registered candidates remained absent.
According to the District Primary Education Office, a total of 8,502 students were expected to sit for the examination at 17 centres.
However, only 5,198 students participated, while 3,304 candidates were absent, resulting in an average attendance rate of 61.14 percent.
According to the upazila wise data, Tala recorded the highest attendance rate at approximately 72.37 percent. In contrast, Kalaroa upazila reported the lowest turnout, with attendance hovering around 40 percent across its two centres.
In Satkhira Sadar upazila, 1,253 out of 1,851 registered students appeared for the exam, leaving 598 absent.
In Tala upazila, 996 out of 1,308 candidates were present, with 312 absentees. Kalaroa recorded only 425 present students out of 1,272, while 847 remained absent.
Debhata upazila had 394 participants out of 600, with 206 absentees. In Assasuni, 682 out of 1,140 candidates attended, while 458 were absent.
Kaliganj upazila reported 766 present students out of 1,170, leaving 404 absent. Meanwhile, Shyamnagar saw 782 participants out of 1,161, with 379 absentees.
Officials confirmed that question papers were delivered securely to all centres and no untoward incidents were reported during the examination. Exam was conducted in a peaceful and orderly environment, earning satisfaction from both guardians and teachers.
District Primary Education Officer Md Ruhul Amin said the examination was being conducted in a fair and disciplined manner, with adequate measures in place to ensure transparency and prevent malpractice.
Responding to the high absenteeism, he noted that the candidates sitting for the exam are currently in Class VI, as the scholarship exam for Class V was delayed due to legal complications involving participation of kindergarten and primary school students. As a result, many students and guardians may not have attached importance to the delayed examination.
He further added that the government has increased both the number of scholarships and the stipend amounts, which is expected to encourage students in their academic pursuits.
MZR/AM
