Education ministry weighs year-end SSC, HSC exams to cut time loss

Ministry of Education is considering a series of reform measures, including assessing whether the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations can be completed by December 31 each year, in a move aimed at saving valuable time in students’ academic lives.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon discussed the issue today at a meeting, focusing on the 2026 HSC and equivalent examinations, said a press release issued by the ministry.

According to the ministry, students currently sit for the SSC examination in the year following the completion of class 10. HSC candidates face a similar timeline. As a result, nearly two years are lost in total from a student’s academic life, which the ministry described as a significant loss both for individuals and for the country.

The meeting held detailed discussions on the feasibility of completing both SSC and HSC examinations by December 31 each year.

A decision was also taken to hold the 2026 HSC examinations under a uniform question paper across all education boards.

The meeting further discussed making the installation of closed-circuit cameras mandatory in every examination room to ensure transparency.

All education board chairmen were instructed to identify the actual conditions and problems at centres for the upcoming SSC examinations. The meeting also discussed their visiting the centres themselves, or through representatives, and submitting detailed reports to the ministry.

During the meeting, a decision was also taken to form a high-level committee to examine the need for, and feasibility of, reducing the number of subjects in future SSC and HSC examinations.

The meeting was chaired by Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khalek and attended by Technical and Madrasa Education Division Secretary Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, senior ministry officials, and chairmen of all education boards.