Education Minister explains why HSC exams not suspended
Rumeen Farhana and ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon — File photo
Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon has explained why this year's Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations were not suspended despite concerns over severe weather, saying authorities had relied on official weather forecasts before making the decision.
"We monitored the situation by speaking with district police superintendents, all eight divisional commissioners, board chairmen, upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), and weather officials. They informed us that there would be no rainfall. We remained in discussions until 5:00 pm and, based on the assessment that the weather would remain favorable, decided to proceed with the examinations," the minister said.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while responding to a question from Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker Rumeen Farhana during a session of the National Parliament.
The minister said around 2,700 examination centres were operating across all 64 districts. "When flooding hit Chattogram, we first suspended examinations in Rangamati and Bandarban, then Khagrachhari, before eventually cancelling exams across the entire Chattogram Education Board. We had been closely monitoring the rainfall and the overall situation," he said.
Describing the response in Cumilla, Milon said he learned early in the morning that the ground of Cumilla Government Women's College had been submerged. "Immediately, we instructed the mayor, Fire Service, police, and deputy commissioner to relocate the examination centre. The candidates were transported by boat to the fifth floor of another school building, where the examinations were conducted," he said.
The minister added that officials had remained in constant contact with deputy commissioners and local authorities across the country and were informed that no other examination centres had been significantly affected by the weather.
He also addressed errors found in the Physics examination paper, saying Questions 6 and 7 contained mistakes.
"I have been in office for only four months. The question moderator was appointed before my tenure. The process of moderating examination questions begins about two years in advance," he said.
