The ministry that organised a workshop on the issue at the Directorate of Primary Education believes the centralised evaluation system like SSC and HSC examinations will raise the quality of primary education.

But Professor Moniruzzaman Miah, chairman of the National Education Commission, told the inaugural session of the workshop: "Policymakers should make sure these examinations do not become the biggest cause of student dropout at the primary level."

"The exams should aim at evaluating whether students achieved desired qualifications," said Professor Miah, also former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, adding the objectives of the two examinations need clarification.

"The failure of students in exams discourages their parents from sending them back to school, especially in rural areas."

He doubted whether the existing primary education management would be able to hold such large-scale examinations across the country.

"We need to consider whether teachers are adequate for such public exams," said Rasheda K Chowdhury, director of the Campaign for Popular Education, a non-governmental organisation.

"The government should first ensure five teachers for as many classrooms in every primary school," she added. She also emphasised the need for keeping educational institutions out of politics for better education.

Nazrul Islam, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, said: "If we fail to raise the quality of education in rural areas, education will be only urban-centred."

Speaking at the workshop as the chief guest, Professor Jahan Ara Begum, advisor on primary and mass education to the prime minister, said: "The performance of teachers needs to be evaluated along with students'."

"Most teachers in our country don't try to increase their skills, which is an impediment to better primary education," she said. Primary and Mass Education Secretary Rafiqul Islam inaugurated the workshop.