A total of 31,447 examinees were absent on the first day of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations under 11 education boards across the country.
According to Education Ministry's control room, 14,91,627 out of 15,08,819 students sat for the SSC exams under nine general education boards where 17,192 examinees remained absent on the first day.
Besides, a total of 2,53,716 out of 2,65,102 students took part in Dakhil (Quran Majeed and Tajweed) examination under Madrasah Education Board while 11,383 students were absent on the first day.
Under Technical Education Board, a total of 1,16,723 out of 1,19,595 students took part in the Vocational examination while the numbers of absent candidates were 2,872.
Meanwhile, 20 students were expelled on the first day of the examinations for illegal activities. Of them, three in the Barishal, one in Cumilla, five in Madrasah and 11 in the Technical Education Board.
Earlier, SSC and equivalent examinations for 2023 began on Sunday morning.
On April 25, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said all coaching centres in the country will remain closed from April 26 to May 23 for holding the examinations smoothly.
