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Amid rising concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19 and dengue infections in the country, students and guardians are expressing apprehension about the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, scheduled to begin on June 26. While some students have demanded postponement of the exams, education boards remain firm on conducting them as planned, assuring strict adherence to health protocols and increased spacing in seating arrangements.
Professor SM Kamal Uddin Haider, Controller of Examinations at the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, acknowledged the concerns but stated that postponing the exams is not feasible due to the approaching monsoon season, which could complicate logistics further. “The concerns of guardians are valid, but we are taking stringent measures. Typically, two students sit per bench or at a 3-foot distance, but this time, we will increase the spacing, similar to arrangements during the COVID period,” he said. Special directives will also be issued to exam centers to control dengue.
Professor Md. Yunus Ali Siddiqui, Chairman of the Barisal Education Board, echoed similar assurances, stating that the use of masks and sanitizers will be mandatory for examinees, and seating arrangements will maintain specified distances. Professor Safiuddin Sekh, Secretary of the Mymensingh Education Board, confirmed that preparations are nearly complete, with a meeting of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee scheduled for June 15 to finalize health protocol guidelines.
This year, a total of 12,51,111 students under 11 education boards are set to participate in the HSC and equivalent exams, including 6,18,015 male and 6,33,096 female students. Compared to last year’s 13,32,993 examinees, this year’s figure is approximately 82,000 lower.
AI/MR
