The Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) is set to reintroduce admission tests for government polytechnic institutes, replacing the current system based on SSC GPA scores. From the upcoming academic year, students will need to sit for an entrance exam to secure admission.
According to sources within the Technical Education Board, discussions on the matter have been ongoing for several months, and preparations are now complete. The final decision, however, awaits approval from the Ministry of Education.
The Technical Education Board has already held multiple discussions on the issue, most recently in December 2024. If the Ministry of Education grants approval, the admission test system will be reinstated from the 2025-26 academic year.
Chairman of the Technical Education Board, Engineer Md. Rakib Ullah, stated: “The decision is not final yet, but we are working towards it. Once we receive approval from the ministry, we will implement it. Our aim is to introduce the admission test from the next semester.”
He further added that the board is looking to revamp technical education, as the sector is critical for Bangladesh’s future workforce. However, due to various political influences over the past 15 years, technical education has suffered. This new admission system is part of an effort to restructure and improve the sector.