SSC exams will run through blockade, says education minister

Students will sit the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations during the BNP-sponsored indefinite transport blockade, says Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

Over 1.4 million students will be taking this year's SSC and equivalent exams starting on Feb 2.

"The blockade is there for an indefinite period. So there's no option to reschedule the exams. They have to be held on schedule," Nahid said while speaking to bdnews24.com on Monday.

After police prevented her from leaving office to lead an anti-government rally on Jan 5, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia called an indefinite blockade of highways, railways and waterways.

At least 35 people have died since then across the country in violence.

In 2013, the education ministry rescheduled 37 papers of the SSC exams and 41 of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams due to shutdowns called by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Last year's Primary School Certificate, Junior School Certificate (JSC) and equivalent exams were pushed back as well due to political programmes like blockades and shutdowns.

Education ministry officials, however, said that the exams will continue during blockade but might be rescheduled if a shutdown coincided.

"We have written to the home ministry about security of students during blockade. They have informed us that the law enforces don't have enough manpower to provide security for 1.4 million students at a time," a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

The home ministry, however, promised additional security measures in risky areas, he added.

Nahid came down hard on political programmes during exams. "It has been decided six years ago that the SSC exams will start on Feb 1 and the HSC on Apr 1. How do they call programmes even after that?"

He said the BNP was not gaining anything from enforcing shutdowns or blockades.

"They are out to ruin the lives of students and the entire education system. This is not expected and cannot be allowed to happen," said the minister who appeared to be agitated.

The BNP, however, exempted the O- Level and A-Level exams from the purview of its blockade and shutdowns. But it is yet to say anything about the SSC exams.

Students and parents are worried with the political tension showing no sign of easing with barely a week to the school-leaving tests.

"I have been not allowed to leave home even though I need to consult with teachers. I am worried whether the exams would be held on time,” said 'Shimul', who is sitting the exams.

“How do I go to the exam hall during the blockade?” he asked.

Zarif Mahdin is also in a similar problem. "A group of us, friends, used to consult among ourselves about what to study. But the situation is not allowing us to meet. Not everything can be done over mobile phones," he said while speaking to bdnews24.com.

Bank executive Sohel Rahman said, "I am worried how my wife will manage to take my daughter to the exam hall during the blockade.”

Ziaul Kabir Dulu, who chairs a parents' platform, said: "A party is saying that they will go on with their blockade. Now if the government holds the exam even after that, then we have nothing to say.

“But who will be responsible if students are injured?"