Appeal rejected, admission of 169 first graders to remain canceled

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Sunday rejected the leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court order that cancelled the admission of 169 students to Class I at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the 2024 academic year for breaching the age limit policy.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan passed this order during hearing on the plea.

Adv Shah Manzurul Haque and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman were present on behalf of the students, while lawyer Rafiul Alam was present for Viqarunnisa school authorities.

On June 27, the HC published the 29-page full text judgement that upheld the cancellation of 169 students’ admission to Class I at Viqarunnisa for breaching the age limit policy.

On 14 January, two mothers filed a writ petition, claiming Viqarunnisa Noon School and College was not following age rules for first-grade admissions. After issuing an order on January 23 following a hearing, the HC received a memorandum from the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on February 28.

The DSHE found that the school admitted students born before January 1, 2017, violating the age limit for the 2024 academic year. This included 10 students born in 2015 and 159 born in 2016. The DSHE requested the school cancel these 169 admissions and inform them immediately.

The school then cancelled the admissions.

Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman, representing the guardians of the 168 students, stated that the students and their guardians were not at fault as the admissions were through a lottery system.