The Bangladeshi government is significantly altering the secondary school admission process, moving away from a lottery-based system. Starting with the next academic year, admissions will be determined by a combination of catchment area priority and a standardized admission test. Education Minister Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Haq Milan announced the change, clarifying that the test will not be centrally administered. This shift aims to provide a more merit-based and localized approach to student placement. The previous lottery system had faced criticism for its perceived randomness and lack of consideration for student performance. Details regarding the implementation of the new system, including test formats and catchment area definitions, are expected to be released shortly. The move intends to address concerns about fairness and accessibility in secondary school admissions.