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HSC subjects may be cut for fast completion of exams


Published : 27 Jun 2020 10:07 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 07:21 AM

The number of subjects for the HSC and equivalent examinations are likely to be reduced in a bid to complete the exams in a short time.

Education Minister, Dr Dipu Moni made the revelation while addressing a virtual seminar on ‘Educational challenges and the way out during and the post coronavirus crisis,' organized by Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) yesterday, Saturday.

The education minister said, “The current academic year may extend till March next year due to the virus. Syllabi for different classes at the secondary level can be reduced as well by coordinating with class hours. Due to such a move, the optional leaves may be reduced next year,”

“There was no logic in reducing the syllabus of this year's HSC exam, because they have completed the syllabus,” she said.
The education minister also said, “Every crisis brings new possibilities. We will use the possibilities and move forward with the cooperation of all. We cannot put millions of students and their families at risk. Educational institutions have been closed for their safety. If the situation is normal, schools-colleges will be reopened.”

However, we have made some plans to compensate for the losses caused by the closure. In this uncertainty, it is not possible to have a definite plan, she added.

To address the current crisis, the minister said, “It is being considered whether the current academic year will be extended till next March or will continue till December. If the academic year is extended, it will be necessary to reduce the optional leaves next year. We teach 140-142 days in an academic year. The rest is holiday. So if you want to increase this year's academic year, it will be done even if next year's holidays are reduced.”

The minister also said that if the students could not achieve the desired results and skills in technical education, they would not be given certificates.

She said, “The classes of Sangsad TV have reached about 90 per cent of the students through various means of technology. So, we will give a toll-free mobile facility which is going to be launched very soon through which even those 10 percent students will get the opportunity to take lessons by talking directly with the teachers.”

“Besides, there are proposals in the budget to increase the price of the internet.But we are also thinking about how to provide internet facility at a nominal price by excluding only the education sector. We are also working to reach out to them through community radio,” she added.

Secondary and Higher Education Secretary Mahbub Hossain said, “We have conducted a survey. On an average 85 to 90 percent of students have mobile devices. We have taken an initiative on how to give devices to the rest of the students.”

He said, “Educational institutions remain shut more than 100 days a year on different holidays. After normalization of the corona situation, we will reduce the holidays to minimize the losses.”

The secretary said, “When educational institutions will have been opened, two or three students will be allowed to sit on one bench instead of four. Educational institutions will be run in accordance with the health rules." We have a number of plans in place to compensate for unscheduled leave, including a reduction in the annual syllabus.”

Rasheda K Chowdhury, Executive Director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), said, "It is the great responsibility of the media to make people aware of accurate information and propaganda. The government should give incentives to keep the internet within the reach of the people. Remember that if one generation of education is lost, a few generations are lost and they will not be found,” she added.

BRAC University Professor Emeritus Manzoor Ahmed said, “The government has to take a long-term plan for the overall education management. We need to plan for the education system to make up for the losses caused by this crisis during the coronavirus period. '

Viqarunnisa Noon School and College Assistant Professor Farhana Khanam said, ‘Non-MPO teachers are in a lot of trouble. Their salary depends on the tuition fees of the students. But now the students and parents are in crisis, so the government has to look at the teachers who are not getting salaries.”

ERAB President Mustaq Ahmed presided over the virtual seminar. General Secretary of ERAB Nizamul Haque gave a welcome speech on the occasion. ERAB member Shariful Alam Sumon presented the concept paper under the direction of former General Secretary Sabbir Newaz.