Late arrivals at exam centres

Every year during major examinations in Bangladesh-be it SSC, HSC, university admission tests, or job recruitment exams-it is deeply concerning to see students being denied entry simply for arriving late. This is not an isolated occurrence but a recurring problem that deserves serious attention from the examination control authorities.

The issue is especially acute in large cities like Dhaka, where severe traffic congestion can turn a five-minute journey into a half-hour ordeal. Moreover, some candidates mistakenly go to the wrong test centre and lose valuable time in correcting the error. The problems are not always due to negligence; sometimes, they result from circumstances beyond a student's control.

What's more heartbreaking is that some students miss their exams due to emergencies-accidents, sudden illness, or even the death of a loved one. Should they be punished so harshly for situations they did not choose?

The Education Board and Examination Control Authority must rethink and revise some of its rigid rules. A more humane, flexible approach should be adopted-one that allows late-entry exceptions in verified emergency situations. Examination centre staff can play a pivotal role in facilitating this, provided there is a clear, compassionate policy in place.

We must remember that no student should have to forfeit an entire year of academic or professional progress due to a few minutes of delay caused by unforeseen events. It's time for change-because fairness, not just punctuality, must be at the heart of our examination system.

Ashikujaman Syed

Business Development Manager

Tianjin Pharmacn Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

Tianjin, China

syedashikujaman@yahoo.com