Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees staged demonstrations in several cities across the country on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon over the decision to continue examinations despite widespread flooding and adverse weather.
The protesters also called for the suspension of the ongoing HSC examinations until the disaster situation improves and demanded re-examinations for candidates who were unable to sit Monday’s tests due to flooding.
They also sought action against those responsible for alleged errors in question papers, replacement of flood-damaged registration cards and admit cards, and a public apology from the minister over his recent remarks about students.
In Dhaka, hundreds of students blocked the Science Laboratory intersection around 11:30am, disrupting traffic on Science Laboratory, Nilkhet, Elephant Road and adjacent roads.
The protesters said many candidates were unable to reach examination centres because of heavy rain, flooding and waterlogging, while others had to travel through hazardous conditions to attend the examinations.
“We requested that the examinations be postponed because of the adverse weather, but they went ahead despite continuous rainfall,” said Ayman, a student of Cambrian College.
He demanded fresh examinations for candidates affected in the Physics and Accounting exams or alternative assessment measures, along with a public apology from the education minister.
Later, a section of the protesters moved to the Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board office in Bakshibazar, where they blocked roads and clashed with police while attempting to enter the premises.
Some demonstrators also threw brickbats at the board building and tried to force open one of its gates.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Lalbagh Division) Muhammad Talebur Rahman said police were in discussions with the students to keep the situation under control.
“We have requested the students to remain calm and deployed additional police personnel to prevent any untoward incident,” he said.
In Chattogram, hundreds of examinees demonstrated outside the Chattogram Education Board headquarters in Muradpur, temporarily disrupting traffic on the Bahaddarhat-bound lane of CDA Avenue.
The protesters demanded nationwide suspension of HSC examinations, punishment for those responsible for mistakes in question papers and immediate replacement of registration cards and admit cards damaged in the recent floods.
“We are demanding suspension of HSC examinations across all education boards. Those responsible for mistakes in the question papers must be held accountable,” said protesting student Md Omayer.
A delegation later met board officials, who assured them that their concerns would be forwarded to the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee for consideration.
In Rajshahi, students gathered outside the Rajshahi Education Board, alleging that candidates in flood-affected areas had been forced to wade through waist-deep water to reach examination centres.
They also criticised reported errors in question papers before submitting a memorandum to the board chairman.
In Barishal, HSC examinees blocked the Dhaka-Barishal Highway after staging a demonstration outside the Barishal Education Board, causing kilometres-long traffic congestion and disrupting bus services.
The protesters criticised the decision to continue examinations during severe weather and demanded reforms to the examination system.
Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sakhawat Hossain said additional police had been deployed, although the students continued their blockade despite requests to clear the road.
In Cumilla, examinees held a sit-in outside the Cumilla Education Board, demanding suspension of examinations until the flood situation improves, re-examinations for candidates affected by Monday’s weather, and a public apology from the education minister.
Students said flooding and prolonged rainfall had made it difficult for many candidates to reach examination centres, affecting their performance in examinations that are crucial for university admissions.
Several protesters also demanded the education minister’s resignation, alleging that his recent remarks about students were inappropriate.
The demonstrations come as large parts of the country continue to experience flooding and heavy rainfall, disrupting transportation and access to examination centres and prompting growing criticism of the authorities’ decision to proceed with the HSC examinations despite the adverse conditions.
