First SSC exams since Covid-19 pandemic began

This year's Secondary School Certificate and equivalent exams began across the country today -- strictly maintaining health rules at the centres.

The examination started at 10am after over a nine-month delay due to the Covid-19 situation. SSC exams are usually held in February.

SSC examinees are giving last-moment revision in front of Motijheel Government Boys' High School, Dhaka. Photo: Prabir Das

Today, students sat for physics exam.

While visiting several centres, our photojournalist Prabir Das found all students entering the centres in orderly queues, wearing masks.   

They were given hand sanitizer at the school entrances. Infrared thermometers were used at some of the centres to check their temperature.

Students provided hand sanitizer when they were entering Motijheel Government Boys' High School, Dhaka. Photo: Prabir Das

However, students had to enter the centres through crowds as guardians were seen gathering there, ignoring distancing guidelines.

Guardians crowd in front of Motijheel Government Boys' High School, Dhaka. Photo: Prabir Das

This year, the examinees will only have to sit for exams in three optional subjects with a shortened syllabus and carrying fewer marks.

Exams for science, humanities and business groups will be held on separate days.

They will not have to sit for tests in compulsory subjects like Bangla, English and Mathematics.

Students giving revision on a footover bridge in front of Motijheel Government Boys' High School, Dhaka. Photo: Prabir Das

The results of the three optional subjects and the grade point average of the students' previous public exams, including Junior School Certificate tests, will be taken into consideration in the final results.

The exam duration for each paper will be one and a half hours and there will be no break between MCQ and written tests.

Examinees checking their room number at Motijheel Government Boys' High School, Dhaka. Photo: Prabir Das

Education Minister Dipu Moni at a press conference on October 27 said the results will be published within 30 days after the exams end on November 23.

An examinee going to the exam centre in Motijheel. Photo: Prabir Das

A total of 22,27,113 students are expected to take part in this SSC exams.

Students from 29,035 schools, madrasas and technical institutions are sitting for the exams at 3,679 centres across the country.

Around 18,00,998 students are participating in SSC exams under nine general education boards.