Sumon Akanda ; Dhaka – The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations began across Bangladesh on Thursday under peaceful conditions, though a significant number of candidates remained absent on the first day.
According to data released by the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee on Thursday afternoon, out of 1,024,904 registered candidates, 1,000,120 examinees appeared for the day-one tests.
A total of 24,784 students were absent nationwide, while seven students were expelled for adopting unfair means.
Board-wise Attendance Breakdown
In the nine general education boards, where students sat for the Bangla First Paper exam, 838,864 out of 856,097 registered candidates took part. Five students were expelled from the general boards, including two in Jashore and one each in Cumilla, Dinajpur, and Mymensingh.
The number of absent students across the general education boards is as follows:
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Dhaka: 3,971
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Rajshahi: 2,497
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Jashore: 2,078
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Dinajpur: 1,937
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Cumilla: 1,795
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Barishal: 1,346
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Chattogram: 1,340
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Mymensingh: 1,142
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Sylhet: 1,127
Meanwhile, under the Madrasah Education Board, 80,653 out of 85,131 registered candidates sat for the Alim Quran Majid examination, with 4,478 absent and one student expelled.
Under the Technical Education Board, 80,603 out of 83,676 registered candidates took the Bangla-II exam, leaving 3,073 absent and one student expelled. Data from eight overseas centers operating under the Dhaka Education Board was not immediately available.
Parent Concerns Over Syllabus and Traffic
Visits to various test centers across Dhaka revealed a massive gathering of anxious parents outside the venues. Guardians expressed deep concern over severe traffic congestion, sweltering summer heat, and the eleventh-hour return to a full syllabus.
Many alleged that implementing a uniform question paper format alongside a full syllabus so close to the exam caused immense mental duress for the students.
“A major shift in the syllabus and question structure just one or two months before the exams has triggered immense pressure. This sudden change has taken a psychological toll, even on meritorious students,” said Suborna Biswas, a parent waiting outside a center.
Another guardian, Sirajul Islam, waiting outside the Mirza Abbas Mohila Degree College in Shahjahanpur, echoed similar worries, noting that the syllabus uncertainty severely dented student confidence.
Parent Kamruzzaman suggested that delaying the implementation of the new full syllabus until next year would have given examinees fairer preparation time.
Heatwave Comfort and Strict Security
As temperatures soared, parents faced grueling hours waiting outside the halls. To offer some relief, volunteers from various coaching centers distributed free hand fans to the waiting crowds.
Law enforcement personnel maintained a strict, vigilant presence outside the centers, successfully managing traffic to ensure smooth dispersal after the exams concluded. For the first time, police deployed body-worn cameras at the exam venues to bolster security oversight.
Students exiting the halls generally expressed satisfaction with the Bangla First Paper questions, calling them well-balanced.
While most agreed that the creative section was straightforward, a few noted minor ambiguities in the multiple-choice question (MCQ) section. Despite these minor hiccups, the first day of the exams concluded in a highly disciplined and peaceful atmosphere.