DHAKA, June 26 (V7N) – The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations commenced today across Bangladesh, marked by a significant number of absentees and expulsions due to cheating. A total of 19,759 candidates were absent on the first day of the exams, and 43 candidates were expelled for engaging in dishonest practices.

This information was released in a press statement by Professor Dr. Khandokar Ehsanul Kabir, President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board.

For the HSC examination under the nine general education boards, 918,277 candidates out of a total of 932,790 appeared for the Bangla (compulsory) 1st paper. This means 14,513 candidates were absent, representing an absenteeism rate of 1.56 percent. Among the six expelled HSC candidates, one was from Rajshahi Education Board, one from Barisal, three from Cumilla, and one from Mymensingh Education Board.

The breakdown of absentees across general education boards is as follows:

Dhaka Board: 3,326 absentees

Rajshahi Board: 1,867 absentees

Cumilla Board: 2,428 absentees

Chattogram Board: 1,230 absentees

Barisal Board: 1,029 absentees

Sylhet Board: 824 absentees

Dinajpur Board: 1,291 absentees

Mymensingh Board: 880 absentees

Jashore Board: 1,638 absentees

Under the Madrasa Board, the Alim examination for Quran Majeed was held. Out of 84,317 registered candidates across 459 centers, 80,121 participated, with 4,196 absentees, marking an absence rate of 4.98 percent. A total of 24 candidates were expelled from the Alim exams for unfair means.


For the Technical Education Board, 98,924 candidates were expected to appear at 733 centers. 97,874 candidates took the examination, while 1,050 were absent, resulting in an absenteeism rate of 1.06 percent. Notably, 13 candidates were expelled from the Technical Education Board exams.

This year, a total of 1,251,111 students are expected to participate in the HSC and equivalent examinations across 2,797 centers nationwide. The written examinations are scheduled to continue until August 10, followed by practical exams from August 11 to 21. To ensure a fair environment, coaching centers across the country have been ordered to remain closed until August 15, and strict measures, including a ban on electronic devices within 200 yards of exam centers, are in place.

END/MSS/RH/