By Naziur Rahman Sohel

DHAKA, Jan 10, 2026 (BSS) - The government has taken an initiative to bring major changes to the assessment system in the country’s primary education. 

Alongside continuous assessment, a summative assessment or written examination system is set to be introduced to evaluate the learning progress of primary students, with plans to implement it from the current academic year.

As part of this initiative, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has finalized a draft of the newly formulated “Assessment System, 2026” based on stakeholders’ opinions. 

The guideline has recently been sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education for final approval.

Joint Secretary (School) of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Rebeka Sultana told BSS that a special review meeting has been convened on January 13 to finalize the draft assessment system prepared by the NCTB. 

She said the meeting will be held in the presence of the adviser and the secretary of the ministry, where a decision will be taken on whether the new assessment system will be implemented from this year.

According to the new assessment guideline prepared by the NCTB, mandatory oral and practical examinations have been included for the first time in every subject for primary-level students, in addition to conventional written exams. 

At the same time, the minimum pass mark for promotion to the next grade has been set at 40 percent, while for students with special needs; the pass mark will be 33 percent.

Students will be required to maintain 85 percent class attendance in each term. If a student fails to appear in any summative exam due to illness or unavoidable reasons, the school authority, upon application, will arrange an alternative examination with a new question paper within the next 10 working days. According to the guideline, assessment data must be preserved and learning progress reports prepared to present results and track students’ development.

In a letter sent to the ministry on December 21, the NCTB requested final approval and issuance of directives to implement the system from the 2026 academic year. The letter mentioned that the guideline was prepared based on specific opinions of a committee comprising teachers, experts, PTI instructors, and representatives from the Directorate of Primary Education and the ministry.

NCTB Chairman (Additional Charge) Md. Mahbubul Hoque Patwary said, “At the request of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, we have sent an integrated assessment guideline to ensure students’ learning. However, the ministry will take the final decision and issue directives; we will only implement it.”

He added that there had long been a demand from guardians to introduce written examinations from Class I to Class V. “Based on opinions from teachers, experts and representatives of various institutions, we have prepared an integrated assessment guideline. Now the ministry will convene a meeting to approve it,” he said.

According to the draft guideline, major changes are being proposed in the assessment system for Classes I to V from the current academic year. Previously, emphasis was placed mainly on classroom activities, but the NCTB has now proposed introducing formal written examinations or summative assessments at the primary level.

The proposal states that continuous assessment will be 50 marks for Classes I and II, and 30 marks for Classes III, IV and V. On the other hand, one summative assessment per term will be conducted, carrying 70 marks.

Under the proposed mark distribution, Bangla, English and Mathematics in Classes I and II will have 100 marks, with 50 marks for continuous assessment (year-long performance) and 50 marks for summative assessment (written and oral). For other subjects (four subjects) in these two classes, 25 marks will be allocated for continuous assessment and 25 marks for summative assessment out of a total of 50 marks.

The NCTB said that subjects with textbooks will have assessments totalling 100 marks, while subjects without textbooks will be assessed out of 50 marks.

For Classes III to V, Bangla, English, Mathematics, Bangladesh and Global Studies, Science and Religious Studies will have 100 marks, of which 30 marks will be for continuous assessment and 70 marks for summative assessment. Within these 70 marks, oral or practical examinations will be mandatory alongside written tests. In Fine Arts and Physical and Mental Health Education, out of 50 marks, 15 marks will be for continuous assessment and 35 marks for summative assessment.

Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman told BSS that the guideline is still at the draft stage and an important meeting is expected to be held at the ministry this week regarding the matter.

He said, “As a national parliamentary election is ahead, the new government may have different plans regarding curriculum or education. Introducing any new system in primary education requires careful consideration. Therefore, all aspects will be reviewed thoroughly before launching the new assessment system. Ensuring students’ interests and the quality of education is our main goal.”

The Director General also noted that currently various assessment methods, including classroom-based evaluations, are in practice from Classes I to V. Any new assessment system must be introduced with the highest level of consideration.

Key features of the new system;

According to the proposal, assessments will be completed in three terms each academic year. Continuous assessment will be conducted through textbook work, classroom participation and regular class tests; oral and practical examinations will be held alongside written tests to evaluate performance; and students must achieve at least 85 percent attendance and on an average 40 percent marks need to be promoted to the next grade.

Results will be published in four grades: ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’—Very Good, Good, Satisfactory and Needs Support. Students scoring 0 to 39 marks will receive Grade ‘D’, indicating the need for additional support to improve their performance.