HSC, equivalent exams begin peacefully

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations under 10 education boards of the country began today peacefully as the authorities has taken adequate and tough security measures to prevent any unfair practices in the public examinations.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel visited the examination centre at Siddheswari Girls College in the city.

A total of 13, 51,505 examinees from 9,081 educational institutions are appearing in the examinations that started at 10 am today. Of them, 6, 64,496 are male and 6, 87,009 are female students, said a source of education ministry.

Earlier, as many as 13, 11,457 examinees including 6, 92,730 male students from 8,943 educational institutions took part in the examinations last year.

This year, a total of 11, 38,747 candidates under eight general education boards are sitting for the examinations while 88,451 under the madrasa education board and 1, 24,264 from the technical education board.

Besides, the number of examinees has increased by 40,048 as some 43 examinees are appearing in Diploma in Business Studies (DIBS) examinations.

Some 275 students are also sitting for the examinations in total eight overseas centres, the ministry source added.

Candidates with physical disabilities will get an additional 20 minutes in the examinations while the examinees with special needs, including those with autism, will also get additional 30minutes.

The written examinations will continue till May 11 while the practical examinations will be held from May 12 to May 21.