Postponed HSC Exams to Be Held on Same Day

The government has decided to conduct the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, originally scheduled for 22 and 24 July, on the same day, following their postponement due to a tragic Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet crash at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka. The rescheduled exam date is yet to be announced.

During a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday (23 July), Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar stated, "The HSC exams for 22 and 24 July will be held on the same day, with the 22 July exam in the morning and the 24 July exam in the afternoon. A notification with the new date will be issued soon."

On Monday (21 July), a fighter jet crashed into the academic building of Milestone School and College in Uttara’s Diabari area around 1:00 pm, killing at least 32 people, including students, a pilot, and a teacher, and injuring over 150 others, according to the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR). The tragedy led to a one-day state mourning on Tuesday and the postponement of the HSC exams for 22 and 24 July.

The delayed postponement announcement triggered protests across Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, Barishal, and other regions, with students demanding the resignation of Dr. Abrar and the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education for perceived insensitivity. Clashes at the Secretariat on Tuesday injured at least 75 students and 16 security personnel. The Senior Secretary was recalled, and Dr. Abrar stated he would resign if the government deemed it necessary.

Late Monday night, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain announced the 22 July exam postponement via Facebook, citing Dr. Abrar’s directive. On Tuesday, Dr. Abrar confirmed the 24 July exam postponement during a visit to the Milestone campus.