The SSC and its equivalent examinations, scheduled for February 8 and 10, have been shifted to February 13 and 14 respectively. The government rescheduled the examinations as the BNP-led alliance called a 72-hour fresh hartal from 6 am tomorrow (Sunday). Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid announced the new dates for the two examinations — English 1st paper and English 2nd paper — at a press conference held at Chittagong Circuit House. “We hoped that they (BNP-led alliance) will withdraw the hartal for the examinations. We had repeatedly requested them not to call further hartal during the examinations, but they did again ignoring our request,” he said. Nahid went on saying, “We can’t push our examinees to any violent situation as we have the duty to ensure their security. So, we’ve rescheduled the examinations. We urge the 20-party alliance not to call hartal during the examinations considering the future of our next generation.” The minister hoped that the rest of the examinations will be held as per the schedule. The SCC examinations on two subjects held so far had to be rescheduled because of hartal. – Chittagong, Feb 7 (UNB)