SSC exams to start Sept 15, HSC in Nov

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations, suspended due to flood, will be started September 15 in consideration of the post-flood situation in the country.

The government is also planning to start the postponed Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations early in November.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni revealed the information in a press briefing at the Secretariat on Sunday.

Earlier, the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee at a meeting took a primary decision to hold the SSC and equivalent exams in August.

However, Dipu Moni said, “We wanted to hold the examinations in mid-August, but now we have decided to hold the exams in September as there is a possibility of another spell of flood in the country in coming August.”

She said the SSC exam will be held on full syllabus and the education boards will announce the exams schedule soon.

The minister also said that new books will be delivered by July 24 in the flood affected areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

In reply to a question, the education minister said that all types of coaching centres will remain closed during the exams.

According to the ministry, they have already sent a total of 11,268 sets of new books---682 for Sylhet and 10,586 for Sunamganj---for this year’s SSC and Dakhil examinees whose books have been destroyed due to flood.

A total of 57,534 sets books--14,779 for Sylhet and 42,755 for Sunamganj—were also sent for distribution among the students of class 6 to 9 and class 10 of both the general and vocational levels.

Apart from this, a total of 33,698 sets of books--10,140 for Sylhet and 23,558 for Sunamganj--were sent for distribution among the students of class 6 to class 10 at Ebtedayee and Dakhil levels.

The SSC and equivalent exams were scheduled to be started on June 19 but on June 17, the government postponed the exams for an indefinite period due to worsening flood situations in Sylhet region.

Usually, SSC and equivalent exams take place in February but it was delayed by six months due to Covid-19 pandemic and the flood situation.

A total of 20,21,006 students registered to take part in this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations under the 11 education boards across the country.