HSC, equivalent exams won't be held this year: Education minister

Education minister Dipu Moni has said that Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will not be held this year due to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.

The minister made the announcement at a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

She said the students will be assessed on the basis of their results in Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations.

The education minister said a decision has been taken to assess the students in different ways instead of taking direct examinations in 2020.

She further said the HSC examinees have passed two public examinations. HSC results will be determined on the basis of average results of JSC and SSC.

An expert committee has been formed to assess those who changed from science to commerce or arts after passing the SSC.

This committee will determine the case of students who changed the group.

Asked about the admission in higher education, the education minister said this is not the right time to say anything on this. The matter will be settled through discussions, she added.

The education ministry and the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Board sources said a discussion was going on whether the examinations could be taken next month.

In the meantime, the education minister made the announcement.

The HSC examinations were supposed to be held in the beginning of April. The exams were suspended in the wake of novel coronavirus disease outbreak. The number of examinees in Bangladesh is over 1.3 million.