Govt to reconsider timing of SSC, HSC exams

The government is reconsidering its plan to hold both SSC and HSC examinations in December 2027, following strong objections from students, teachers and guardians. 

Education stakeholders at a consultation meeting on Wednesday urged authorities to adopt a gradual transition instead of advancing the public examination schedule by nearly four months in a single year.

The issue was discussed at the consultation meeting held at the Ministry of Education, where education experts, officials, teachers, guardians and students exchanged views on the proposed restructuring of the academic calendar.

According to ministry sources, most stakeholders opposed the proposal to hold these public exams-SSC and HSC- in December, arguing that advancing the examination schedule by nearly four months in a single year could create severe academic and psychological pressure on students.

Examinees reportedly expressed the strongest opposition to holding the SSC examination in December, while teachers and guardians also supported a gradual transition instead of an immediate adjustment.

Participants at the meeting proposed holding the 2027 SSC examination in January and the HSC examination in April, with the examination calendar gradually shifted towards December in subsequent years.

They suggested advancing the schedule by one month annually to allow students to adapt more effectively, rather than implementing a four-month adjustment at once.

Officials said guardians and heads of educational institutions from different districts joined the meeting virtually and voiced similar concerns regarding student wellbeing and academic preparedness.

A senior official of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, who attended the meeting, said opinions were largely in favour of holding the SSC examination in January and the HSC examination in April in 2027.

Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon said the government is consulting all relevant stakeholders before taking a final decision.