For rise in PSC, JSC stipend amount

To encourage and financially support meritorious school students, the government has been giving them stipends on the basis of Primary School Certificate (PSC) and Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations. The students are selected on the basis of student population in Thana or Upazila as well as on the basis of achieved results.

About 55 thousand male and female students were selected for Talent Pool and General Category in the last PSC examination throughout the country. It is a commendable venture of the government. Currently, in the PSC segment, each Talent Pool student gets Tk 200 per month, whereas each General Category stipend-achiever gets Tk 150 up to Class Eight. Each student also gets an extra Tk 150 in consolidated amount per annum to purchase study materials.

The stipend on the basis of JSC examination is Tk 300 for each Talent Pool student and Tk 250 for each General Category stipend-achiever per month for study up to Class Ten (SSC).

 Indeed, stipends are a motivating factor for a student to continue his/her studies. Also the amount of stipends is another significant factor. The present amount in the context of the current price level is very insignificant. Stipend amount per month for each student needs to be enhanced reasonably; otherwise, the very purpose of stipends will not be served.

Each Talent Pool student should get Tk 1,000 and each General Category student should get Tk 800 per month against the PSC examination performance. On the other hand, each Talent Pool student should get Tk 1,500 and each General Category student Tk 1,200 per month against JSC examination results. Each stipend-achiever should also get an additional Tk 1,000 each year to purchase necessary study materials.

 The government should increase the amount of stipends by a significant level from the next financial year.

mah120cb@yahoo.com