HSC Exam

Collected Representational Image

Higher Secondary and equivalent exams from today

According to reports, a total of 13,99,690 students- 7,29,738 boys and 6,69,952 girls- will sit for the exams. The exams will be conducted in 2,621 exam centres are across the country.

In 2020, 13,65,789 students had appeared for the exams, this year has seen a growth of 2.48 percent.

Among the 13,99,690 total candidates, 11,38,017 will sit for the HSC exams; 1,13,114 for Alim exams under the Madrasah Education Board; and 1,48,503 for vocational exams under the Technical Education Board.

Apart from them, 406 students will take part in the exams from abroad.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Dipu Moni urged the candidates to maintain health protocols during the examination, to facilitate a smooth conduct.

"Concerns are growing as the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron, has been identified. It’s more infectious. We need to remain very careful," she said on Wednesday during a press conference at Chandpur Press Club.

Dipu Moni, however, expressed concern over the lack of mask usage by many.

She said, "We should follow the hygiene rules and avoid public gatherings to contain the spread of the virus so that we do not have to postpone the HSC exams."

Due to the pandemic, the examinations are being held with shortened syllabuses.

Earlier, the SSC and equivalent exams began on November 14 and ended on November 23. The HSC exams will end on December 30.

"All coaching centres across the country were ordered to remain shut from November 25 till January 3 ahead of the exams," reported Dhaka Tribune.

After remaining shut for nearly a year and half due to the pandemic, the government reopened the educational institutions across the country on September 13 this year, following an improved situation.

Last year’s HSC candidates were promoted on the basis of their results of JSC and SSC exams.