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The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations are set to commence tomorrow, Thursday, June 26, with over 12.51 lakh students participating. This includes 6.18 lakh male and 6.33 lakh female candidates. However, the number of examinees has decreased by 81,882 compared to last year, marking the lowest participation in the last three years. Amid rising concerns over a new variant of COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks, the government has issued strict guidelines to ensure health protocols are followed at examination centres.
Stringent Health Measures
To address the risks posed by COVID-19 and dengue, the government has mandated compulsory mask-wearing for examinees. Examination centres are required to provide hand sanitisers, maintain cleanliness, implement mosquito control measures, and keep medical teams on standby. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to prevent crowding outside centres to ensure safety.
Measures to Prevent Question Leaks and Cheating
The education boards have introduced over a dozen new measures to curb question paper leaks and cheating. These include verifying question paper sets and quantities in the presence of local police and designated officers. Unused question paper sets must remain sealed and returned to the boards intact. Answer scripts are to be submitted to the respective examination controller’s office under police escort.
Revamping Centres and Cancelling Venues
To eliminate unethical practices, the education boards have cancelled 295 venue centres across nine boards, with the Cumilla Board cancelling the highest number (150) and the Dhaka Board cancelling 70. Extensive reshuffling of examination centres has also been undertaken. Professor S.M. Kamal Uddin Haider, Coordinator of the Inter-Education Board Examination Control Committee and Controller of Examinations at the Dhaka Education Board, stated, “We have eliminated venue centres known as ‘beacons’ of unethical practices. We are optimistic about conducting a fair and smooth examination.”
Examination Schedule
According to the Inter-Education Board, theoretical exams will run from June 26 to August 10, while practical exams are scheduled from August 11 to 21. To ensure a fair and cheating-free environment, the board has issued 33 directives, including proper storage of question papers at least three days before the exams, mandatory presence of treasury officers and centre secretaries, and prohibiting the storage of question paper trunks outside upazila headquarters.
Challenges Amid Health Risks
Professor Dr. Khandaker Ehsanul Kabir, Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board and Coordinator of the Inter-Education Board, described this year’s exams as particularly challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 and dengue outbreaks. “We are conducting the exams under difficult circumstances, but with strict adherence to health guidelines and robust monitoring by multiple board teams, we are committed to ensuring a successful examination process,” he said.
The education boards are hopeful that these comprehensive measures will ensure a fair, secure, and smooth HSC examination despite the prevailing challenges.
AI/MR
