More than one lakh examinees of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination under the Rajshahi Education Board are worried as the exams are likely to begin on February 2 amid the ongoing political violence.
This has prompted the guardians and teachers to take to the street for a demonstration against the blockade and hartals in the city today.
This year, about 1,28,199 students are supposed to sit for the SSC exam in Rajshahi.
However, the students, their guardians and teachers are worried whether the exams would be held peacefully amid the countrywide blockade and intermittent hartals enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Professor Shamsul Kalam Azad, examination controller of Rajshahi Education Board of SSC and HSC said: “This year, the SSC and equivalent exams will be held at 214 centres. If the blockade is not withdrawn, it will be tough for the students and teachers to go to the centres with a peaceful mind.”
Abdur Rauf Mia, chairman of Rajshahi education board said all preparation to hold the exams had been completed already.
He also urged the 20-party alliance to withdraw the blockade during the SSC exam.
Meanwhile, the guardians and the teachers have planned to go on a demonstration in Rajshahi city demanding withdrawal of the blockade.
Teacher’s leader Professor Shafikur Rahman Badsha told the Dhaka Tribune: “The students, guardians and teachers will stage demonstration and hold a human chain at Shaheb Bazar intersection in Rajshahi city today.”
Mizanur Rahman, a resident of Katakhali in Rajshahi city said his daughter Fariha Farah would sit for the SSC exam and her examination venue was at Rajshahi University School.
He expressed deep worry as to whether his wife and daughter would be able to go to the centre safely given how the highway from his residence Katakhali to University was prone to frequent arson attacks.
Mizanur also urged to the political parties to think about the future generation and withdraw the blockade and hartals. He also requested the authorities concerned to ensure securities for the students and guardians.
In the meantime, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid ensured the newsmen that the SSC and equivalent exam will be held on the scheduled times despite the blockade.