HSC Candidates in Dilemma Over Tomorrow’s Exam; Boards Confirm No Postponement

Despite a day of intense street protests, police actions, and violent clashes that have left candidates anxious and divided, education boards have confirmed that Wednesday's (July 15) HSC and equivalent examinations will proceed as scheduled. As of late Tuesday night, no official decision has been made by the education ministry or the intermediate boards to postpone or reschedule tomorrow's papers.

The confusion among candidates intensified following the temporary suspension of street blockades by protesting students late Tuesday evening. While the main protest footprint outside the National Parliament was cleared to restore traffic, a significant section of students remains in deep uncertainty over whether they should sit for tomorrow's tests or prepare for further administrative changes.

A Deep Divide Among Candidates

The day's tumultuous events, which included a baton charge by police in Dhaka and violent clashes between students and transport workers in Dinajpur and Barishal, have deeply polarized the candidate community. One faction of students argues that the ongoing unrest and physical clashes have created severe mental trauma, making it impossible to focus on academic performance.

Ahsan Habib, an HSC candidate, expressed his frustration regarding the situation, noting that after a day of intense protests, police action, and witnessing fellow students get injured in clashes, candidates are undergoing severe mental stress. He added that continuing with the exams under such circumstances would only fuel further protests, and suggested that postponing the exams would be the most effective way to restore calm.

Conversely, another group of candidates is strongly in favor of maintaining the existing schedule, fearing that prolonged delays will lead to session jams and disrupt their academic future.

Ishrat Jahan, a candidate from Dhaka, voiced her opposition to any further delays, stating that the exams should not be postponed under any circumstances. She pointed out that since the Education Minister has already expressed regret and candidates have completed their preparations, they are eager to sit for the exams.

Administration Reaffirms Current Schedule

Despite the visible tension and split opinions among students, the education administration has not issued any emergency postponement directives. Efforts to reach the President of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board for clarification were unsuccessful as his phone remained switched off late Tuesday night.

However, speaking to The Daily Campus at 8:40 PM, Professor Dr. Shamim Ara Chowdhury, Chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rajshahi, clarified the official stance.

"No decision has been made to postpone the exams, nor has there been any decision to alter the existing exam schedule," the Rajshahi Board Chairman confirmed, indicating that the examinations on July 15 will take place in accordance with the pre-announced routine.

With no official postponement notice from the Ministry of Education, institutional heads and board authorities have advised all candidates to ignore unverified rumors on social media and continue their final preparations for tomorrow's scheduled examinations.