Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh – The first day of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in the hilly district of Rangamati concluded peacefully on Thursday, mirroring the situation across the country. While a total of 7,384 students were registered to appear at 35 centers throughout the district, 78 candidates were absent on the opening day. Notably, a higher proportion of female students were among those who did not attend.

"Like the rest of the country, the first day of the SSC examination in the hilly district of Rangamati was completed peacefully without any untoward incident. Although a total of 7,384 students were supposed to participate in the examination at 35 centers in the district, 78 candidates were absent on the first day of the examination," reported Alamgir Manik, a local correspondent from Rangamati.

Breaking down the absenteeism figures, 47 general stream students, 14 Dakhil (Madrasa) students, 6 vocational students, and 11 Madrasa students (combining Dakhil and other Madrasa streams) were absent. Of particular note is the higher absence rate among female candidates, with 59 female students not participating in the examination on the first day. Authorities reported no instances of student expulsion on Thursday.

"Out of these, 47 general students and 14 students, 6 vocational students and 2 students, and 6 madrasa students and 3 students did not participate in the examination. This time, the absence rate of female students in the SSC examination is higher; 59 female candidates did not participate in the examination on the first day. It is reported that no student was expelled on the first day on Thursday," the report detailed.

In the general education stream, out of 6,151 registered candidates across 21 schools and 21 centers, 6,090 students participated, with 61 students absent. For the SSC Vocational examination, 747 out of 755 candidates attended across 9 centers in 9 educational institutions, with 8 students absent. Under the Madrasa Education Board, 469 out of 478 examinees from 5 centers in 5 institutions were present, with 9 students absent.

"On the first day of the general education exam on Thursday, 6,090 out of a total of 6,151 candidates took part in 21 schools and 21 centers, while 61 candidates were absent. Out of a total of 755 candidates from 9 centers of 9 educational institutions, 747 participated in the SSC Vocational exam, while 8 candidates were absent. In addition, out of a total of 478 examinees from 5 centers of 5 educational institutions under the Madrasa Education Board, 469 participated. 9 examinees were absent," the report specified.

Detailed center-wise absence figures provided by the Education and ICT Division of the Rangamati District Commissioner's Office further illustrated the attendance patterns across various Upazilas and school centers, highlighting the higher number of absent female candidates in many locations.

"According to information received from the Education and ICT Division of the Rangamati District Commissioner's Office, in the SSC examination held in Rangamati today, 1 student and 7 students out of a total of 387 examinees, including 63 male and 324 female, did not participate... At the Naniarchar Government Model High School center under Naniarchar Upazila, 1 male and 5 female students out of a total of 393 examinees... were absent... At the Longadu Girls' High School center, 4 students were absent out of 287 examinees, including 133 male and 154 female," the center-wise data revealed.

The reasons behind the higher absenteeism among female candidates on the first day were not immediately clear from the report. However, the overall peaceful commencement of the SSC examinations in Rangamati indicates that the logistical arrangements were effectively implemented.

END/BTK/RH/