The government has postponed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations of all boards scheduled for April 26 and 28 due to the election to three city corporations. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid announced the decision at a meeting on law and order situation during the HSC and equivalent examinations with the members of law enforcement agencies at the Secretariat on Sunday. The minister said the decision was taken following a request made by the Election Commission. The fresh dates for the postponed examinations will be announced later, he said. Nahid reiterated that the upcoming HSC and its equivalent examinations will begin as per the schedule on April 1 overcoming all the obstacles, including hartal. He claimed that the SSC and its equivalent examinations were held peacefully braving hartal and blockade programmes enforced by the 20-party alliance. “Based on the experience, the ministry has taken all-out preparations for the upcoming HSC examinations.” The Education Minister urged the students not to pay heed to any rumour about question paper leakage. The law enforcement agencies will keep vigil on the movement of the staff and employees of the Bangladesh Government (BG) Press, he said. Nahid also said the government is trying to recoup the academic losses the students suffered because of the hartal and blockade through holding some extra classes and canceling some holidays. The HSC and its equivalent examinations under the 10 education boards are set to begin across the country on April 1. On March 18, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad announced the election schedules for Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation and Chittagong City Corporation fixing voting for April 28. — Dhaka, Mar 29 (UNB)
