Coronavirus: What Do Authorities Think about HSC Exams in Bangladesh?

Candidates are worried that this year's HSC exams have not been held on time due to the closure of all educational activities in Bangladesh from mid-March to prevent coronavirus infection and the authorities have not yet announced the exam schedule.

In Bangladesh, HSC examinations are usually held in April-May, followed by university admissions from September. However, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the suspension of education activities has created uncertainty about the HSC examination and the admission of students to the university after the examination.

While not specifying when the test could be held, the government says it will not take the decision to take the test before the coronavirus situation returns to normal, putting public health at risk.

However, despite the authorities saying that the situation is normal, many test takers and parents are worried about how safe it will be to participate in the test.

Mixed reactions from examinees and parents

HSC candidate Salman Rafid is a resident of Armanitola, Dhaka. Although the authorities have promised to hold HSC exams after the coronavirus situation has returned to normal, he has not been able to rest assured.

Salman Rafid said, "There is no doubt about the real picture of the coronavirus situation in Bangladesh. The government has been accused of withholding information from the very beginning. Officials have repeatedly changed their minds. How do I do that? "

Ruby Akhter, the guardian of Samihar, an examinee from Mymensingh, has the same fears.

Many parents and test takers think that if HSC test is taken in the next couple of months, coronavirus infection will increase in Bangladesh.

While most parents and test takers are concerned about safety, many believe that even if the test is conducted, the risk of coronavirus infection will not increase much.

Sudipa Sarkar, an examinee from Savar, said, "Life has not been normal for the first few months but everything has been going well for the last few days. At home, my father and elder sister are going to the office regularly. We are also going out or going to the market."

He thinks that there will be no risk of infection even during HSC exams if the government has followed the guidelines of hygiene till now.

'No decision will be taken that harms public health'

Though he did not comment on when the HSC exams could be held, Deputy Minister of Education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury said the HSC exams would not be held with a decision that is detrimental to the public health of the people of Bangladesh.

Mr. Chowdhury said, "There is no reason to worry about the HSC exam now, because I am not announcing the schedule of the HSC exam right now before the coronavirus situation returns to normal. And this government will not take any decision that would harm public health."

"We can't give a specific date yet because we're not sure if the test will be limited to now."

He said, "The examination schedule will be given after considering all the aspects related to the conduct of the examination, in consultation with the experts and all the parties concerned. So there is nothing to worry about the examinees and parents."

However, due to the late education system in Bangladesh, it is not possible at the moment to pass the students to the next stage without taking the 'No Examination Assessment'.

"Since our 'Continuous Assessment' (Continuous Student Assessment) process is not ready yet, we are not thinking about giving grades without taking exams."

How long before the exam the candidates will be informed about the schedule - In answer to this question Mr. "The notice will be given 15 days before the examination," Chowdhury was quoted as saying.

Source: BBC Bangla