Questions have been raised regarding the Directorate of Primary Education’s (DPE) decision to conduct viva for approximately 69,265 assistant teacher candidates in just seven days.
The recruitment process, which aims to fill at least 14,000 vacant positions in primary schools, is scheduled to take place between 28 January and 3 February amidst the activities surrounding the 13th parliamentary election.
Sources have alleged that a powerful syndicate is attempting to engage in “recruitment trade” by rushing the process before potential administrative changes occur following the election.
There are also concerns regarding the feasibility of accurately evaluating such a large number of candidates within such a short timeframe.
Structural changes to marks and evaluation
Director General of the DPE, Abu Noor Md Shamsuzzaman, has denied allegations of impropriety. Speaking to the Times of Bangladesh, he stated that the decision to conduct the interviews for those who passed the written exam was a high-level government decision.
He emphasised that normal government activities continue even during elections and this recruitment is part of that standard practice.
Several significant changes have been introduced to the marks distribution this year, including increasing the written exam marks from 80 to 90 and reducing the viva marks from 20 to 10.
Additionally, no marks are being allocated for the display of certificates, and a specific pass-fail system has been introduced for the viva voce for the first time.
Concerns over administrative oversight
The viva boards are being organised across 61 districts, with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) serving as presidents and District Primary Education Officers (DPEOs) as member secretaries. Each board will also include an official from the Directorate of Primary and Mass Education.
However, some officials have expressed concerns that because DCs are currently preoccupied with election-related activities and code of conduct enforcement, their presence at the boards may be limited.
This has led to fears among some officials that DPE representatives might influence the results.
Addressing these concerns, DG Shamsuzzaman clarified that the changes in marks and procedures were established during inter-ministerial meetings and follow established teacher recruitment rules.
He further noted that if a DC is unable to attend, they will be represented by an additional district commissioner (ADC) or the deputy director of Local Government (DDLG).
Examination history and integrity issues
The written examination for 14,385 vacancies was held on 9 January, drawing over 1.08 million candidates.
During the exam, law enforcement agencies detained at least four hundred candidates in various districts, including Bhola, Barishal, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Kurigram, Dinajpur, and Madaripur, for using electronic devices.
While allegations of a question paper leak surfaced the night before the exam – leading to protests at the DPE headquarters – the Directorate later rejected these claims, stating no evidence of a leak was found.
The results of the written exam were officially published on January 21, qualifying 69,265 candidates for the final interview stage.
