Shutdown shadow worries 3 million PSC, Ebtedayee students

Over three million grade-V students sitting Primary School Certificate (PSC) and Ebtedayee examinations are worried that shutdown call coinciding with their tests may throw their schedules into disarray.

On several previous occasions, political shutdowns forced the education ministry to reschedule the tests.

However, authorities on Monday said Tuesday's tests would not be deferred – a standard statement before a last minute change of plans.

The announcement was not enough to assure the examinees and their parents. The students say they want to get done with their tests without hiccups.

Aslam Sarkar's child is a candidate in this year's exams.

"All we (parents) want for our children is that they finish their examinations without any trouble. But what will happen if there's a shutdown?" he wondered.

"It's not safe to get out with children on such days," added the worried father.

Political alliance NDF has called a shutdown for Tuesday demanding arrest of former minister Abdul Latif Siddique for his anti-Hajj rant.

Chittagong-based Hifazat-e Islam has threatened a general strike on Thursday if he was not arrested by Wednesday.

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman had requested the parties to refrain from enforcing strikes during the tests.

PSC students are slated to sit ‘Introduction to Bangladesh and World’ exam while the Ebtedayee aspirants will face ‘Introduction to Sociology and General Science’ on Tuesday.

Sumaiya Akter's son has done well in the first two tests.

"(But) the schedule will go haywire if there's a shutdown," she said. Her son sitting with her promptly added, "I want to finish my examinations without any problem."

Director General Alamgir Hossain of Primary Education Directorate said they would take a final decision after consulting the ministry once a final announcement on shutdown would come.