Barura (Cumilla) Correspondent

 Continuing a quarter-century-long commitment to nurturing young academic talent, the alumni association of Mukundapur High School in Barura Upazila will organize its annual merit scholarship examination on October 31.

The initiative, launched in 2001 by former students of the institution, aims to foster academic excellence, uncover latent potential, and prevent dropouts among students across remote areas of Barura.

Organized by the Mukundapur High School Alumni Association, the 2026 examination will be open to students currently enrolled in Class IV and Class VII. The exam is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM at the Mukundapur High School venue. Headmasters of participating schools are required to submit certified candidate lists by October 29, along with an application fee of Tk 50 per student.

A total of 80 scholarships will be awarded across both grades, comprising 10 talentpool, 10 general, and 20 school-based scholarships for each class.

The 50-minute examination will carry 50 marks, evaluating candidates across Bangla (10 marks), English (15 marks), Mathematics (15 marks), and General Knowledge/Social Studies (10 marks). Alongside the written test, a cultural competition featuring patriotic songs and ghazals will be held, with each participating school permitted to send up to 10 participants.

Highlighting the impact of the initiative, local resident Tajirul Islam noted that the 25-year-old program has fostered healthy competitive spirit among students in rural Cumilla, boosting their confidence and encouraging those at risk of dropping out to pursue their education.