The government has hinted that the future of the Primary Education Completion (PEC) examinations for fifth graders is uncertain this year.

“This test is not part of the new curriculum that will come into effect,” State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain said while addressing a press briefing in the capital on Thursday.

“Schools remained closed for nearly two years. We need more time to recover the learning losses,” he said, adding that if the tests were indeed held, an announcement would be made at least two to three months earlier.

Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan said there is a difference between the learning process for adults and children.

“We do not want to disrupt the natural process by making any announcement now. We will take a little more time,” he said.

Recently, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni also hinted that the Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC) exams were likely to be cancelled stating that the boards would remain busy with the works related to Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations.

Primary Education Director General Alamgir Mohammad Mansurul Alam and other senior officials of the ministry were present at the briefing.