HSC exams may be rescheduled

The education ministry is going to reschedule the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Ministry sources said they observed the situation and decided not to hold the examinations from April 1.

The chairmen of all education boards also met in the capital, yesterday, to reach a decision on postponing the April 1 exams.

They said the present situation is not favourable to holding exams as students and guardians are worried about Covid-19 and students have not been able to properly prepare.

Dhaka Education Board Chairman Ziaul Haque told The Business Standard that the situation is not conducive to holding exams.

"We will announce the final decision [on rescheduling exams] by Monday," he said.

"The whole nation is in a tense situation over coronavirus. We are also worried. So, it would not be wise to hold exams as per the already-declared schedule," he said.

Secondary and Higher Education Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain said they would make a decision on the exams after considering the overall situation in the country.

An official of the education ministry, wishing to remain anonymous, told The Business Standard that a portion of Madaripur has already been locked down and many other places are in a critical state. So, the ministry will change the exam dates.

This year, around 11 lakh students are supposed to take part in the HSC and equivalent examinations at more than 2,000 centres across the country. About 1,00,000 teachers will discharge their duties during the examinations.

Each centre will accommodate about 600 examinees, on average, while the number of guardians and others related to exams might be about 1,000. As a result, there is a big possibility of the coronavirus easily spreading at examination centres.

Kamal Uddin, a guardian, said he is worried at the preparations of his son who will take the HSC exam at Amrita Lal Dey College in Barisal. "The government should decide quickly," he said. 

"My son is in fear of the virus and has been unable to prepare himself properly. It would be good if the government changed the exam date," he also said.

Tousif, an examinee from BCIC College in Dhaka, told this correspondent, "I am preparing but unsure if the exams will be held. I am really worried."

"I am alone at home but I have to meet many friends and teachers. If anyone carries the virus, I might be infected. So, the government should consider the situation," he said.

The government, on March 16, closed all educational institutions across Bangladesh till March 31, following the detection of coronavirus in the country.

They asked the students to stay at home and remain cautious, and also discouraged them from attending coaching classes.

Till date, 24 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Bangladesh – with two deaths reported so far.