From Chance to Choice in Primary Education: A Critical Analysis 

Published on: April 28, 2026

The admission process in primary education has always been a critical issue in Bangladesh, particularly in terms of ensuring fairness and equal access. In 2011, the lottery system was introduced for class one admissions which was later expanded to all classes in 2021. The goal of this system was to reduce the growing “coaching culture” and the intense academic pressure placed on very young children. However, the Ministry of Education has recently decided to scrap the lottery system entirely, starting from the 2027 academic year.

While the lottery system was far from perfect, its cancellation raises serious concerns about fairness and equal opportunity in the Bangladeshi context. To understand this concern, it is important to examine why the lottery system persisted for so long. Before the lottery system , getting into a reputed school was nothing short of a war. Many experts argued that this kind of pressure was simply not suitable for young minds. At the same time the exam based system fueled a massive private coaching and guidebook industry. Parents spent significant sums on "admission coaching," making it difficult for low-income families to compete. The lottery was intended to level the playing field. Moreover, the traditional admission process was  often plagued with allegations of lobbying and nepotism, financial irregularities and a lack of  transparency. On the other hand, the lottery system ensured at least some level of equality in this regard. It ensured equality of opportunity regardless of how much money a student could afford to spend on admission coaching. 

Despite its intended purpose, the lottery system was not beyond criticism. It certainly had its shortcomings. A major limitation was its tendency to overlook academic merit and learner readiness, as admission was determined through random selection rather than demonstrated competence. This brings up concerns related to meritocracy, as discussed by Michael Young, where opportunities are ideally based on ability and performance. Without any form of assessment, it becomes difficult to understand a student’s learning potential. Some critics also believe that such a system may reduce motivation, as effort and achievement are not directly rewarded.

However, while these limitations are important, they should be examined within a broader socio-educational context rather than being used as the sole justification for completely discarding the policy. Removing the lottery system introduces deeper concerns about equity and fairness. Without a neutral and randomized process, there is a real risk that admissions could once again be influenced by bias, connections, and institutional preferences.

From the perspective of conflict theory, often linked to Karl Marx, education systems can sometimes reinforce existing social inequalities. It can be argued that students from more privileged backgrounds already start a few steps ahead. They often have access to better coaching, a clearer understanding of how the system works and stronger support at home. When admissions move away from a lottery system, that gap can quietly grow wider. For students from marginalized or rural backgrounds, the chances of accessing quality education may become even more limited. In many ways, the lottery system served as a small but important safeguard for those who do not have strong financial support.

This brings us to an important question: is Bangladesh truly ready for a fully merit-based recruitment system? As of March 2026, the country is undergoing significant changes in its recruitment philosophy, shifting from lottery and quota based models toward merit based systems. While the technical capacity for such a system may exist, challenges remain in ensuring transparency and accountability. Without addressing these issues, a merit based system may not work as fairly as intended. 

The lottery system wasn’t a perfect solution but cancelling it without proper safeguard, is a risky decision. Rather than complete cancellation a hybrid system including both lottery and merit based process can bring better results. It can better serve the goals of primary education without creating a burden on young learners.