Over 20.72 lakh students to sit for SSC exams

The Secondary School Certificate and its equivalent examinations under 11 education boards across the country will begin on April 30.

A total of 20,72,163 students – 10,21,197 boys and 10,50,966 girls – are expected to appear at the exami-nations in 3,810 centres from 29,798 institutions this year.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni came up with the information while addressing a press briefing at the In-ternational Mother Language Institute in the capital’s Segunbagicha on Tuesday.

Before the press briefing, a meeting was also held at the same venue with Dr Dipu Moni in the chair with all agencies concerned regarding the preparations to hold the examination in a copying-free environment.

The education minister said all coaching centres in the country will remain closed from April 26 to May 23 ahead of the SSC and equivalent examinations, in order to hold the SSC and equivalent examinations fairly.

Dipu Moni said this year the number of students increased by 50,295 while the number of institutions in-creased by 207 compared to the previous year. Among the increased number of students, 38,609 are fe-male students.

She said “Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of female students increased this year. I think the government’s various initiatives including stipends facility is behind the rise of female students in the country.”

Mentioning that there is no chance of leaking the question paper, Dipu Moni urged the examinees and their guardians not to pay heed to any kind of rumour.

She also said strict action will be taken against whoever spreads rumours of SSC question papers being leaked or tries to harm the students by leaking question papers.

She said although the SSC examinations are held in the first week of February every year, it was not possi-ble to hold the exams on time like last year due to Covid-19.

This year, the SSC and equivalents examinations will be held on revised and a short syllabus with full marks and time, said Dipu Moni.

Besides, this year’s Higher Secondary Certificate and its equivalent exams are likely to be held in the mid of August, she said in reply to a question.

Data also shows that a total of 16,49,275 students – 7,79,870 boys and 8,69,405 girls – are registered to sit in the SSC exam under nine general education boards across the country.

Apart from this, a total of 2,95,121 are participating in SSC (Dakhil) exam under the Madrasah education board while 1,27,767 students registered for the exam (vocational) under the technical education board.

Besides, a total of 374 students will sit for the SSC exam in eight overseas exam centres this year.

Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nawfel was also present at the press briefing.