A total of 15,748 students in Cox’s Bazar are set to sit the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, which begin across Bangladesh on Thursday, with the district administration saying all preparations have been completed.
According to the district administration’s Education and ICT Branch, the examinations will be held at 35 centres across the district, covering HSC, Alim and HSC (Vocational) streams.
Of the total candidates, 12,498 will sit the HSC examination at 18 centres, while 2,002 candidates will take the Alim examination at nine centres. Another 1,248 students will appear for the HSC (Vocational) examination at eight centres.
The district administration said comprehensive measures had been taken to ensure the examinations were conducted peacefully, fairly and free from malpractice.
Executive magistrates will be deployed at every examination centre, while members of law enforcement agencies will remain on duty throughout the examination period. Restrictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure will remain in force around examination centres to prevent any untoward incidents.
Candidates expressed a mix of confidence and nervous anticipation ahead of the examinations, having completed two years of academic preparation.
Mohammad Osman, a student of Cox’s Bazar Government College, said he had prepared diligently with the support of his teachers and parents.
“We have been preparing for this examination for a long time. I will do my best and hope to achieve a positive result,” he added.
Ayon Dey, a student of Cox’s Bazar City College, described the HSC examination as one of the most important milestones in a student’s academic life.
“We have worked hard for this examination. I hope the examinations will be held in a peaceful environment and that we will be able to perform to the best of our abilities,” he said.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Shahidul Alam said that centre secretaries had been given the necessary instructions to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations.
He said all relevant agencies were working in coordination to ensure the secure transportation and storage of question papers, maintain law and order, and provide security for candidates.
“All preparations have been completed in accordance with the directives issued by the government and the Ministry of Education,” he said.
The written examinations will begin on 2 July and continue until 8 August. Examinations will be held in two shifts each day, with the morning session running from 10:00am to 1:00pm and the afternoon session from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. The examinations will begin with Bangla First Paper.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
