Security has been stepped up across key areas of the capital after students announced a long march to the Ministry of Education following Wednesday’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations.
Members of law enforcement agencies were deployed at several strategic intersections, including Nilkhet, Science Lab, Shahbagh and Maghbazar.
A platoon of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was stationed at the Nilkhet intersection on Wednesday afternoon, while more than 50 police personnel were deployed at Science Lab. An increased police presence was also observed in Shahbagh, Maghbazar and other important locations across the city.
At the City College examination centre, students were seen leaving the premises after completing their exams and heading to their respective destinations. As of around 1:15pm, no large gathering or procession linked to the announced long march had formed. Most examinees left the centres promptly with their parents or guardians.
HSC and equivalent examinations are being held in 59 districts across the country on Wednesday. Student protesters have called for demonstrations nationwide after the examinations conclude.
Students in Dhaka have announced plans to assemble at several designated locations—including in front of the BNS Centre in Uttara, as well as Shahbagh, Science Lab, and Maghbazar before beginning their "Long March to the Ministry of Education."
The demonstrations stem from growing dissatisfaction over the conduct of this year's HSC examinations.
On Monday, HSC and equivalent examinations were held across the country despite adverse weather conditions, except in five districts of Chittagong Division. In several areas, examinees were seen wading through waist-deep floodwater to reach their examination centres.
Public criticism intensified after a video of an alleged phone conversation involving the education minister circulated on social media. Protesters claimed the minister referred to HSC candidates as “farm chickens.” The controversy was further fuelled by errors in the Physics First Paper question, prompting widespread complaints from examinees.
Students initially announced an eight-point list of demands, which was later reduced to three: suspension of HSC examinations until conditions become conducive, full marks for the erroneous Physics question, and a public apology from the education minister.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday night, the minister expressed regret over the controversy and announced that the Physics, Accounting and Logic First Paper examinations held on Monday would be retaken.
However, the announcement failed to satisfy the protesters, who are now demanding the minister’s resignation and have announced fresh protest programmes to press home their demand.
