Mohiuddin Alamgir

The government is looking for alternative ways to evaluate SSC and HSC examinees this year as uncertainty looms over holding of the major public exams if the Covid situation does not improve significantly.

However, students and guardians are worried as no concrete decisions on holding of the exams have been made yet.

Education officials said they would try their best to hold the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and their equivalent exams. But they are also considering some alternatives like evaluating students based on their results in previous public exams and assignments.

Officials are also thinking of taking the exams reducing the number of subjects and total marks.

“Nothing is final. We are working on several options, including holding of SSC and HSC exams. Right now we are not in a position to talk in details about the alternatives, but we will announce it soon,” said Prof Syed Md Golam Faruk, director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).

Usually, SSC, HSC and their equivalent exams take place in February and April each year. But the education boards cannot hold the exams this year as all educational institutions remain closed since March 17 last year due to the pandemic.

The closure has been extended till July 31 in phases.