Coaching centres must shut activities three days before SSC examinations

The education ministry has ordered coaching centres to close three days before the start of the next SSC and equivalent exams, and remain closed until the tests are over, reports bdnews24.com.

The ministry is also considering ways to shut off access to the internet and Facebook during the exams.

The government made the decision on coaching centres on Monday in an effort to create a "fair and fraud-free environment" for examinees.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid presided over a national monitoring committee meeting that made the decision.

The theory exams for the SSC and equivalent exams are to be held between February 01 and February 24. Accordingly, coaching centres would have to be closed from January 29 to February 24.

Examinees would have to enter their respective examination centre and take their assigned seats at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam.

"No excuses will be accepted," the education ministry said in a statement.

An examinee who fails to report 30 minutes before the start of the exams will not be allowed in.

Any examinee found in possession of a mobile phone will be ejected from the exam immediately in an effort to curb cheating, according to the statement.

"No-one will be able to use smartphones at the exam centres. Only the secretary of the examination centre will be able to use a regular phone."

A BSS report adds: Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid urged all the officials concerned, including teachers, to sincerely perform their duties aiming to check any unfair practices in the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations.

Nahid said all necessary preparations have been taken to hold the SSC and equivalent examinations peacefully, a handout said.

"We've strengthened monitoring and security measures to check any unfair practices, including question paper leak, during the upcoming SSC exams," the education minister said.

Secretary of Secondary and Higher Secondary Division Md Sohorab Hossain, Secretary of Technical and Madrasa Division Md Alamgir and Director General of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Prof Md Mahabubur Rahman were present at the meeting.