All coaching centres across the country will remain closed from November 3 to December 14 as the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will begin on November 6, Education Minister Dipu Moni said at a press briefing at the secretariat on Wednesday.
The coaching centres will remain shut in an effort to conduct the examinations smoothly, check question leak bids and prevent copying, the minister said, adding that all public examinations will be held maintaining schedule from next year if there are no setbacks.
The theory examinations will end on December 13 while the practical examinations will begin on December 15 and end on December 22.
This year, a total of 12,03,407 examinees will sit for the examinations. Of them, 6,22,769 are boys and 5,80, 611 girls. The number of examinees decreased by 1,96,283 this year compared to the previous year.
The examinations will be held at 2,649 centres and 9,181 institutions. The number of exam centres increased to 28 compared to the previous year. Besides, the examinations will be held at eight overseas centres and a total of 222 examinees will appear for the examinations from abroad.
No one will be allowed to carry mobile phone sets or any other devices except the in-charges of the exam centres. In-charges of the exam centres will be allowed to carry mobile phone sets. Students should reach their examination centres 30 minutes before the start of the examinations.
Replying to a question, the minister said the Deputy Commissioners and police supers concerned will ensure the closure of the coaching centres during the period. “Action will be taken against those if anyone keeps coaching centres open during this period,” she said.
Referring to the distribution of textbooks in 2023, Dipu Moni hoped that the distribution of textbooks will start on January 1, if there is no natural disaster in the country. Besides, steps were also taken to prevent question paper leaks, she said.
