Bangladesh to promote secondary students to next class without annual exams

Secondary school students will be elevated to the next class without any annual examinations this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Education Minister Dipu Moni said.

Students from Class VI to Class X will be assessed on weekly assignments, based on an abridged syllabus prepared by the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, which can be completed in 30 working days. But that will not bar students from being promoted to the next class.

Dipu Moni said, “There won't be any tests this time in light of the coronavirus situation. This time there won't be any annual examinations."

"This assessment method is only there to help us understand the weaknesses of the students so that these can be addressed. The assessment will not have any bearing on their promotion to the next class. It will be used to address their weaknesses and help them rectify these."

The next SSC and HSC exams will be held in 2021, said Dipu Moni urging students to prepare well for the tests.

"We are going through a difficult situation and unable to predict the future much. We will have to brief again on the next year's SSC and HSC exams," she said.

"I will advise the next year's SSC and HSC candidates to prepare at home and access online classes," the minister added.

She also advised students to continue their studies through their own efforts.

 "The exams are likely to be delayed due to the coronavirus situation but we will try our best to organise them in time. But the exams will be held and the students should be prepared well."

The minister also hoped that the COVID-19 situation will improve next year and it will not harm the schedule for SSC and HSC exams which are usually held in Bangladesh in February and March.