Mohiuddin Alamgir

Every November, the stress levels of many parents seeking to get their children admitted to private schools begin to escalate as the admission process of most reputed schools in the capital kicks off by the middle of this month.

But this year, the anxiety of the guardians grows deeper as the coronavirus pandemic has made school admissions complicated and uncertain.

“I have already communicated with three good private schools, but all of them said they are yet to decide about the admission tests. They cannot say anything specific now and asked us to keep in touch with them,” said Riasat Alam, a father of a six-year-old from Mirpur.

School admission has always been a nerve-wracking ordeal for guardians as there are only a handful of “good” schools in the capital against an ever-increasing demand every year.

“We saw on television that there is an apprehension of a second wave hitting the country in winter. If this apprehension turns true, we don’t know what will happen. We are anxious,” said Riasat, a private job holder.

Thousands of parents like Riasat are anxiously waiting for the start of school admissions as none of the public and private school authorities have yet taken any decision about selling admission forms and holding tests.

Private schools usually start selling admission forms as early as mid-November. On the other hand, government schools begin the form distribution process in December.

But the Covid-19 pandemic situation, which forced the authorities concerned to shut down all educational institutions till November 14, brought a completely different situation for both school authorities and parents.