Education Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud has urged the public universities participated in cluster system to retain the admission test system for now though there is a debate surrounding its advantages and disadvantages.

A letter was sent yesterday to the vice-chancellors of the universities involved in the cluster system.

If the system is abandoned, it could further complicate efforts to restore the discipline in the higher education sector, Prof Wahiduddin said in the letter.

The letter also mentioned recent discussions among the vice-chancellors at a meeting of the Ministry of Education. It was observed that there are arguments both for and against the cluster system, it said.

There will be opportunities to revise the system in the future if necessary. However, if the universities make independent decisions under the current circumstances, it will create confusion among the students and their parents, it added.

Citing memoranda from parents and students in favour of retaining the system, Prof Wahiduddin said, "In this context, I urge you to make every effort to follow the cluster admission test system for the 2024-25 academic year."