The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2023 are going to start today.
According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 20,72,163 candidates across the country are scheduled to sit for this year’s SSC and equivalent exams.
The examinations are going to be held according to the revised and rearranged syllabus of 2023. Meanwhile, closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) have been installed inside all centres this year for the first time to ensure fairness in the examinations and maintain smooth environment at the spots.
Officials said the installation of CCTVs will help monitor the exam process.
Moreover, the Ministry of Education and all the education boards have taken special cautionary measures to prevent possible question paper leaks. In order to ensure a fair and peaceful environment no one except the candidates will be allowed within 200 yards of the examination halls during the examinations, said a press release of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on April 27.
Meanwhile, all coaching centres in the country will remain closed from April 26 to May 23 for holding the examinations smoothly, said Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday.
The minister said the examinations will be held on a short syllabus this year.
According to the Ministry of Education, out of the total 20,72,163 examinees, 10,21,197 are male students and 10,50,966 others are female students.
This year the number of examinees has increased by 50,295 compared to last year. Of them, more than 37,000 belong to the science group.
The number of the examinees in the last year was around 20,21,000.
The number of female students has also increased this year.
The exams of today will start at 10:00am and continue till 1:00pm.
Each of the students must enter the exam centres 30 minutes before the scheduled time of the examination.
Each student must pass the Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) and essay type or creative question sections separately. Candidates can use simple scientific calculator. No one except the secretary of the exam centre can use mobile phone in the examination centre.
Only the students with special needs will get extra time in the exams.
Examinees suffering from visual impairment, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, autism, handicap or special needs can participate in this year's SSC and equivalent exams with the special supports of teachers, parents, and other helpers.
Additional 20 minutes will be allowed for writing in case of such candidates.
The written exams of the SSC candidates will end on May 23 and the practical exams will be held from May 24 to May 30.
The exams of Dakhil candidates will end on May 25 and their practical exams will be held from May 27 to June 3.
According to officials concerned, the number of SSC examinees under nine general educational boards is 16,49,275. Of them, 7,79,870 are male students and 8,69,405 female students.
The examinees are taking part in the examinations from a total of 17,786 schools. They will take part in the exams at 2,244 centres.
The number of Dakhil students is 2,95,121. Of them, 1,43,993 are male students and the rest 1,51,128 female. The Dakhil students are taking part in the exams from 9,085 madrasas and their exams are being held at 716 centres.
Besides, the number of examinees from the Technical and Vocational boards is 1,27,767. Of them, 97,334 are male students and 30,433 female. They are taking part from 2,927 educational institutions and the number of their exam centres is 850.