Bidit Chowdhury
The government will decide today (Sunday) on holding the SSC examinations, a top official said on Saturday.
"We'll declare the final decision on the SSC examinations," Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan told the Daily Observer over phone.
With only one day away, school students appearing this year's Secondary School Certificate examinations tomorrow are worried about security amid the ongoing non-stop blockade and the start of a 72-hour strike from Sunday, enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Many a students say the political unrest has pushed them out of frying pan into fire, as normally SSC, one of the biggest public examinations, takes a mental test.
Also, tension mounted among the guardians and schoolteachers.
Lailun Nahar, Assistant Headmistress, Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, said, "As a teacher and a guardian, I am very concerned about the ongoing situation. As a guardian I cannot put my children on such a hot water. But at the same time, SSC examination is very important in his or her life."
On condition of anonymity, another guardian said, "Concern is everywhere. Law and order situation is very bad."
"It's a tremendous mental pressure for me. I cannot concentrate on my study. I cannot predict the exact timing of the examinations, Shapla Sultana, an examinee, said.
Some people totally negated the chance of organizing SSC exam. An assistant teacher of Ideal School and College, said, "I do not think SSC exam will take place on the right time this year."
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police on Saturday pledged all necessary measures to ensure security of the students on their way to the exam centres and during the examinations.
When asked about the chance of arrangement of the SSC exam, the Education Secretary said that the government is observing the situation.
Earlier, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said that SSC exam would be held through blockade and hartal.
To soothe the panicked guardians and students, Nahid assured them that adequate security would be provided to the examinees.
A total of 1,479, 256 students have registered their names under the 10 educational boards to appear in the examinations in 3,116 centres from 27,808 institutions across the country. Of the total students, 7, 63, 339 are boys and 7, 15, 927 girls.
The examinations of Bengali 1st paper, Easy Bengali 1st paper and Bengali Language and Bangladeshi Culture 1st paper will be held on the first day.
The written examinations are scheduled to end on March 10 while the practical exams are scheduled to begin on March 16.