The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have begun across the country. The exam started simultaneously across the country at 10 am on Thursday.
Due to the pandemic, this time the exams are conducted in one and half hour following a short syllabus. This year 13, 99,690 students are taking part in the examination. The test will continue till December 30 in two stages in the morning and in the afternoon.
According to the Ministry of Education, this year 11, 38,017 candidates have filled up the forms under nine general education boards. Besides, 1, 13,144 candidates from Madrasa Education Board and 1, 48,503 candidates from Technical Education Board have also filled up the forms. A total of 13, 99, 690 candidates have registered across the country.
Rokeya Akhter, the mother of a Mirpur College student, was waiting in front of the Mirpur Girls Ideal Laboratory Institute Center. She said, “We are very tensed. The conditions of the exams and the situations are like never before. Let's see what happens.”
Fahim Uddin Ahmed, a student of Shaheed Police Memorial College, said, “We have completed the short syllabus but we are sitting for an exam after a long time. We are nervous.”
Other students told this correspondent that many people thought that there would be no exam. Hence they did not take it seriously and did not take much preparation. Therefore, they are all a little tense.
Delwar Hasan, the father of a student of Manipur High School and College, believes that even if the exam is taken in short syllabus due to the pandemic, the loss of students is still not compensated.
“Although the government is taking the test, there are many gaps for students due to the online classes. We are happy that the exams are taking place, however, the loss of children is irreparable,” he told this correspondent.
The HSC and equivalent examinations were conducted in compliance with hygiene rules. The concerned authorities of the educational institution had been instructed to maintain social distancing. Candidates were arranged in seats maintaining physical distance. The Education Minister earlier requested the parents to not crowd in front of the centers.
It was previously announced that all the coaching centers will be closed from November 25 to January 3 to conduct the examinations smoothly and free from any unethical practices. The education minister urged the people to be careful not to open any kind of coaching center during this period.
