Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) Abu Noor Md. Shamsuzzaman. File photo

DHAKA, April 16, 2026 (BSS) - Around 650,000 children across the country are participating in the Primary scholarship Examination, said Director General 
of the Directorate of Primary Education Abu Noor Mohammad Shamsuzzaman.

"Adequate health personnel have been deployed at every examination centre nationwide to ensure the well-being of students," Director General told BSS.

Shamsuzzaman said that as the examination is being held a bit later this year, some candidates have been unable to participate. However, attendance 
across centres remains satisfactory at around 77 to 78 percent.

The DG said he had requested the Ministry of Health in advance to deploy medical teams at every exam centre to prevent students from suffering due to 
the intense heat and harsh sunlight. Accordingly, sufficient numbers of doctors and nurses have been assigned across the country.

He added that the Directorate of Primary Education also issued letters to all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) requesting necessary arrangements for 
deploying health workers at examination centres.

According to him, adequate medical support, including doctors and nurses, has been ensured at all centres.

The DG said the remaining examinations will be held on Friday and Saturday, with two exams conducted each day.

He further informed that out of the 650,000 candidates, 82,500 students will be awarded stipends this year, including 33,000 under the talent pool 
category, while the rest will receive general stipends.

At present, students receiving general stipends get Taka 250 per month, while talent pool stipend holders receive Taka 350 per month. Each student receives 
the stipend for a period of three years.

Shamsuzzaman also said he, along with the State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, visited several examination centres in Dhaka on the 
first day of the exam, including Motijheel Government Primary School, Demra Paradar Government Primary School, and Motijheel Ideal School centre.

He said the examination environment at the centres was very satisfactory, with noticeable student presence and smooth arrangements.

He added that in the future, he will propose increasing the number of stipend recipients to 100,000 nationwide and also recommend raising the stipend 
amount.

Of the total 650,000 examinees, around 550,000 are from government primary schools, while the remaining 100,000 are from private primary schools.