HSC Exam Ends, Tight Security Remains at Key Dhaka Intersections and Centres
Law enforcement agencies have tightened security arrangements across key intersections and examination centers in the capital today, following the conclusion of the seventh day of the HSC and equivalent examinations. The preemptive security deployment comes in response to a pre-announced "Long March to the Education Ministry" program launched by protesting candidates demanding the resignation of the Education Minister and a temporary suspension of the remaining exams.
The theoretical examinations for the Physics Second Paper, Accounting Second Paper, and Logic Second Paper across eight general education boards commenced at 10:00 AM on Wednesday. Simultaneously, the Madrasah Education Board held the Arabic Second Paper, and the Technical Education Board conducted the Business Organization and Management-II test.
Parents Anxious Outside Exam Venues
Visits to several key Dhaka centers, including the Government Science College, revealed an overwhelming presence of parents waiting outside the gates under shade and on pavements. A wave of anxiety was visible among the guardians, many of whom expressed concerns regarding the physical safety of their children on their journey back home.
Several parents waiting outside centers indicated that they would not allow their children to travel home alone today and would personally escort them due to the unpredictable street situation. The anxiety stems from the protesters' announcement to gather at multiple transit points, including the BNS Center in Uttara, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory, and Moghbazar, immediately after the conclusion of the exam at 1:00 PM.
Security Reinforced at Critical Intersections
In anticipation of the "Long March" toward Shikhsha Bhaban (the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education), security personnel have set up active cordons. By noon, a platoon of the paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was deployed at the Nilkhet intersection to maintain order, while over fifty police personnel took up strategic positions at the highly volatile Science Laboratory crossing.
Despite the ongoing student agitations, the high-stakes public examinations were successfully conducted across 59 districts of the country today. While the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee maintained its firm stance that exams will continue as scheduled in all regions except for the flood-affected Chittagong Board, the demonstrating students have called for countrywide demonstrations and sit-ins following today's paper.
The core demands of the protesting students continue to focus on three points: the immediate suspension of all upcoming HSC exams until natural disasters and waterlogging conditions normalize, a compensatory retest option for candidates who were unable to attend the exams on July 13 due to torrential rainfall, and the resignation of Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon.
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