HSC Exam Decisions for Five Suspended Districts Expected Today

A definitive decision regarding the indefinitely suspended Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations for 2026 under the Chittagong Education Board is expected to be reached today. Following an improvement in regional flood conditions, the education board is actively attempting to fast-track the announcement of the rescheduled dates.

Professor Mohammad Zohirul Hoque Swapon, Controller of Examinations of the Chittagong Education Board, confirmed the developments to The Daily Campus on Sunday (July 19).

"The overall situation has improved significantly," Professor Swapon said. "We will coordinate with the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and relevant higher authorities today to finalize the exam modalities. The Chairman of our board has already travelled to Dhaka to facilitate direct discussions with the Ministry of Education."

The Controller noted that the extended suspension has caused significant mental stress and anxiety among the candidates due to the lack of definitive dates. Therefore, the administration is prioritizing a swift resumption of the evaluation cycle, with comprehensive details expected to be made public by this evening.

Question Bank Security and Rescheduling Strategy

When questioned regarding the readiness of the question papers, the Controller explained the administrative backup systems in place.

"We maintain four sets of question papers for each individual subject evaluation. Out of these, one set has already been printed under high-security protocols. The other two sets are fully finalized and ready. The exact set execution method will be finalized during today's high-level consult."

Regarding the structural placement of the makeup schedule, he added that, if operationally viable, some tests might be integrated alongside the active nationwide timeline. The remaining suspended subjects will be allocated with adequate preparation gaps to ensure that students face no academic disadvantage.

Broader Disruptions and Madrasah Stream

Confirming parallel actions in the specialized boards, Professor Khondoker Mohammad Sadequr Rahman, Chairman of the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, stated that their theoretical timelines are reaching completion.

"The Madrasah Board evaluations are in their final stages. Decisions regarding the suspended tests will be formalized within next week. We will closely evaluate the current water receding levels and flood situation in Chittagong to minimize public distress while picking new dates," Professor Rahman added.

The complete suspension followed a prior notification issued on Thursday night, which took into account the immense physical and travel hardships faced by candidates across the division. The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee subsequently extended this indefinite suspension to the Technical and Madrasah education streams across the region, which had previously been suspended only until July 16.

Meteorological Context and Candidate Volume

The crisis stems from an unprecedented weather anomaly that hit the port city, starting with relentless downpours on July 5. By July 7, the region recorded its highest single-day rainfall metrics in 43 years. The cumulative downpour peaked at an absolute volume of 1,169 millimeters over the five days leading up to July 10. This environmental crisis initially forced the suspension of the July 8 paper, before subsequent waterlogging forced the indefinite postponement of the entire schedule.

According to demographic data from the Chittagong Education Board, a total of 99,688 candidates hailing from 283 colleges across five districts—Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—are registered to sit for the HSC examinations this year.