A female student broke down in tears after being barred from sitting for her first Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam due to late arrival at the exam center — a moment that went viral on social media on Thursday.
Ayesha, a student from from Laboratory School and College in Mirpur, reached the exam center at Government Bangla College nearly one and a half hours late after the exam had begun. As she arrived late after the scheduled time, authorities did not allow her to take the exam.
Ayesha’s aunt, who accompanied her, told the media that Ayesha’s mother suffered a stroke that morning, her father died couple of years ago.
Due to her mother’s sudden illness and the absence of any other family member, Ayesha had to take her mother to the hospital and manage everything on her own before rushing to the exam center.
Despite her efforts, she was not allowed to enter the center, and she was seen crying in front of the gate. The incident sparked widespread outrage online, with many expressing sympathy and criticizing the strict enforcement of rules in such exceptional circumstances.
According to reports, Ayesha had to care for her mother alone and take her to the hospital before heading to the center, which caused the delay. As a result, she missed the exam on the first day.
This year’s HSC and equivalent examinations began nationwide on Thursday at 10 am. A total of 1,251,111 candidates are participating under nine general education boards, the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board, and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board.