HSC Exams to Follow Schedule Nationwide Except in Five Districts

Despite continuous rainfall, flooding and waterlogging in different parts of the country, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will be held according to the previously announced schedule in all areas except five districts, including Chattogram.

The Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has advised candidates to leave home early and allow additional travel time because of the adverse weather conditions.

The decision was announced in a notice signed on Monday night by Professor Syed Akhtaruzzaman, chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee.

According to the notice, HSC and equivalent examinations in five flood-affected districts, including Chattogram, will remain suspended until July 16 under the earlier decision. Examinations under all other education boards will continue according to the published routine.

Although demands have been made to suspend examinations across the country because of the ongoing disaster, the coordination committee said such a decision would not be practical.

A total of 1,270,583 students are expected to sit for this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations. The authorities said repeated postponements could disrupt the publication of results, university admission procedures and the overall academic calendar.

The notice also explained that the use of common question papers makes it difficult to suspend examinations under every education board because of conditions in one particular region.

However, local authorities have been given the power to make emergency decisions where natural disasters create serious safety risks or make it nearly impossible to conduct an examination.

The relevant deputy commissioner may assess the situation and take immediate action when an examination is likely to be severely disrupted.

Students and guardians have been urged to follow official instructions issued by the Ministry of Education and the relevant education boards rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.

Rain, waterlogging and traffic congestion may cause transportation delays. Candidates have therefore been advised to leave home earlier than usual and choose safe routes to their examination centres.

The education boards, local administrations and other relevant authorities are working together to ensure that the examinations are completed in a safe, peaceful and orderly environment.