SSC, equivalent exams likely to be deferred due to UZ polls

Some Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations are likely to be deferred due to the Upazila Parishad polls, sources at the education board said.
They said education ministry sought suggestions from the education boards regarding the rescheduling of at least two examinations scheduled for February 18 and 20 as the election commission has announced the date of first-round polling on February 19, 2014.
"Initially we have been planning to reschedule the two examinations of February 18 and 20," Examination Controller of Dhaka Education Board Prof Dr SM Wahiduzzaman said.
Earlier, the Election Commission (EC) had written to the education ministry regarding schedule of the nation-wide Upazila polls and the boards' consideration came following the ministry's inquiry about the exams.
Prof Wahiduzzaman said they have informed the ministry that if the Upazila Parishad election is held according to the schedule, the education boards would reschedule the two examinations.
He said that the education boards also suggested tentative dates of the rescheduling examinations-religion scheduled for Feb 18, has bee proposed for a month later, on Mar 18 while another examination slated for Feb 20 has been suggested for Mar 20.
Examination controller said that the rescheduling of the country's secondary level examinations is yet to be finalised as the boards have some days in their hands to decide.
According to the existing schedule, the written examinations of the SSC and its equivalent examinations will start on February 9 and finish on March 16, while the practical examinations will be held between March 17 and March 24.
Meanwhile, examination of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) is expected to begin from April 1, 2014.
The EC, however, announced plans to hold the election on Feb 19 in 120 Upazila Parishads out of the total 487 upazilas in the first-round while the 2nd phase schedule of the poll will be announced by next week.