Summary:
- Bangladesh expands 5% education quota to include July 2024 uprising victims’ families
- New policy covers children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and uprising casualties
- Applicants must submit certified documents, with originals required at admission
- Unfilled quota seats to be allocated from merit list, no vacancies allowed
The Bangladesh government has expanded its education quota system to include families affected by the July 2024 popular uprising. The Ministry of Education announced that children of those injured or killed during the uprising will now be eligible for a 5% quota in government secondary school admissions, alongside children of freedom fighters and martyred freedom fighters.
Previously, the 5% quota was reserved exclusively for children of freedom fighters and martyred freedom fighters. The new policy maintains the same percentage but broadens the eligibility criteria to encompass victims of the July 2024 events.
“A 5% seat reservation will be maintained for admission to government secondary schools for children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and members of families injured or martyred in the July 2024 popular uprising,” stated the Ministry of Education in a recent office order.
To qualify for the quota, applicants must submit certified copies of relevant certificates or gazette notifications with their application. Original documents must be presented at the time of admission. The Ministry emphasized that freedom fighter certificates issued by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs or gazette notifications for July 2024 uprising martyrs must be thoroughly verified during the admission process.
If qualified candidates from these categories are unavailable, the seats will be filled from the merit list. The order explicitly states that seats cannot be left vacant under any circumstances.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education has been instructed to implement this new policy across all government secondary schools in Bangladesh.
This move by the government recognizes the sacrifices made during the July 2024 uprising and aims to provide educational support to affected families. It also demonstrates the ongoing importance placed on honoring both historical and recent contributions to the nation’s development.
