HSC Exams, June 30 (V7N)- The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams under the Rajshahi Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board began on Sunday, June 30, at 10 AM. No untoward incidents have been reported so far.

This year, 138,157 students are taking the HSC exams under the Rajshahi Education Board. This marks a decrease of 1,958 students compared to last year. In 2023, 140,115 students participated, while in 2022, the number was 129,423.

On the first day, the Bangla First Paper exam is being conducted, which will conclude at 1 PM.

According to board sources, among the participating students, 72,246 are male and 65,911 are female. Students from 741 colleges are taking the exams across 203 centers in eight districts under the board.

Professor Ariful Islam, the Controller of Examinations for Rajshahi Board, stated that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the HSC exams. The use of any electronic devices in the exam halls is strictly prohibited, and exams will be conducted as per the schedule.

Jamirul Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) headquarters, announced that all kinds of rallies, meetings, gatherings, protests, use of loudspeakers, explosives, and carrying of weapons within 200 yards of the exam centers are prohibited during the HSC exams.

Police have been deployed at the exam centers since Sunday morning. Anyone violating these restrictions will face legal action.

HSC and Equivalent Exams Begin in Kalapara

Similar to the rest of the country, HSC and equivalent exams started in Kalapara, Patuakhali. The exams commenced at 10 AM on Sunday across eight centers in the upazila, with 2,277 students participating. Parents were seen gathered in front of the exam centers from the morning. Students were searched before being allowed entry into the exam centers. Police personnel were deployed at each center to ensure a fair and cheat-free environment. Executive Magistrates and Upazila Executive Officers were also present at the centers.

22 HSC Students in Tangail Unable to Sit for Exams Due to College Authorities' Negligence

In Bhuyapur, Tangail, 22 HSC students were unable to sit for their exams due to the negligence of the college authorities and deception by a teacher.

On Sunday, before the exams began, the students from Nikrail Shamsher Fakir Degree College staged a protest at the Polashia Rani Dinmani High School exam center. The protest led to a clash with the police, who later brought the situation under control.

The students alleged that the police assaulted them without reason. Visibly upset, the students were seen crying outside the exam center, with parents trying to console them and demanding punitive action against those responsible.

Reportedly, the college authorities had demanded extra fees for the HSC exam registration. Many students refused to pay the extra amount. Subsequently, a Bengali department lecturer, Lokman Hossain, collected 3,000 Taka from each of the 22 students for the registration. However, the students did not receive their registration cards or admit cards from the board. On Saturday, June 29, the 22 students went to the college to collect their admit cards but were informed that their forms had not been processed.

Despite contacting the lecturer Lokman Hossain, the students could not resolve the issue. As a result, they protested and vandalized the exam center on the day of the exam.

The acting principal of Shamsher Fakir Degree College, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, stated that the students did not communicate with the college. He claimed that many students were allowed to register for free, and no extra fees were taken. He denied the allegations made by the students.

Bhuyapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Ahsan Ullah, said that the situation was brought under control after deploying additional police forces.

Upazila Executive Officer Md. Mamunur Rashid stated that the acting principal had filed a written complaint with the exam controller, leading to the cancellation of the registration forms of the 22 students. An investigation will be conducted, and actions will be taken against those found guilty.

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