State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj said primary scholarship examinations do not discriminate against students of private schools. He made the remarks on Friday after visiting an examination centre at Badshah Faisal Institute in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. He said opportunities were set on a proportional basis for government and private school students.

According to the state minister, one in every eight government school students received the chance to sit the scholarship examination, while one in every five private school students received that opportunity. Directorate of Primary Education data showed that 640,000 students took part this year, including about 550,000 from government schools and 90,000 from private schools.

A total of 82,500 students will receive scholarships, including 66,000 from government schools and 16,500 from private schools. Hajjaj said examinations were being held in an orderly environment nationwide. He said the policy would be updated after discussions with relevant parties, with scholarship amounts and beneficiary numbers also reviewed to ensure maximum equity.