Educational Outcomes Post-Reform: The Discontinuation of Primary Public English Exams in Bangladesh

Abstract

The assessment of English language skills in Bangladesh has been a major challenge because the teaching of the language has traditionally been based on isolated language elements. Reading and writing skills were emphasised in high-stakes exams such as the Primary Education Certificate (PEC) or the Ebtadayee English exam, yet the skills of listening and speaking were overlooked. As a consequence, students' communicative competence was hindered, and their future educational success was hampered. This narrative inquiry explored the effect that discontinuing the PEC English exam has on primary-level English pedagogy. This study is based on an analysis of literature and policies, as well as six English language teachers from different regions who were interviewed about interview discrepancies and their experiences with past and current PEC practices. What comes out of teachers' perspectives is a concern for the methods of assessment, the content of the textbooks, and the training of the teachers that needs to be aligned with the National Curriculum Framework 2021. The discontinuance of PEC’s English exam forced an alteration to the exam centric method of education, which resulted in student demotivation and the absence of high-stakes examinations. While it encouraged a shift towards communicative and student-centred methodologies, it also encouraged a shift towards co-planning with students. Although limited resources and inadequate professional development may pose challenges to teachers' adoption of these approaches, they express readiness for this adoption. With Bangladesh's plan to introduce the new curriculum for grade five by 2025, all go together. This reform will have to bring out the intrinsic motivation, incorporate all four skills, and satisfy the future needs of the learners. The findings about communicative competence and the contribution of English policy reform are crucial for the further development of English education.