HSC examinees left in the lurch

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams that began on June 30th have been repeatedly disrupted due to the students' quota reform movement and the subsequent unrest and violence across the country. According to various media reports, around 80 HSC candidates were detained in different police stations during the recent protest, though most were later released. Tragically, some HSC examinees lost their lives, while many others were injured. These incidents clearly demonstrate their active participation in the movement.

So far, eight exam days were completed as per the original schedule. Exams for 15 subjects, spanning science, humanities, and business education, were held across nine General Education Boards. The written answer sheets for the eight subjects completed by July 11 were submitted to the respective boards in the first installment.

However, the answer sheets for the exams held on July 14 and 16 were stored in police station warehouses near the exam centers. As violence intensified, authorities instructed that these answer sheets should not be sent to the boards in the second installment. Consequently, the answer sheets remained stuck in police station warehouses.

After the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, miscreants looted and set fire to various police stations, reportedly burning the answer sheets from the July 14 and 16 exams, as well as the question papers for upcoming exams. This situation has left the examinees deeply disappointed.

While re-examinations for the burnt answer sheets and the creation of new question papers might be possible, this would take time. Understandably, the uncertainty surrounding the HSC exams have caused serious anxiety for students and parents alike. Delays in the examination schedule no doubt will have a knock-on effect and inevitably impact result publication and university admissions. The newly formed interim government should take prompt steps to dispel the uncertainty of HSC examinees.

Kawser Ahmed

Bashabo, Dhaka