Govt mulls holding public exams in 5-6 days

The government is considering a proposal to shorten the timetable of public examinations in future to give some relief to the examinees, who experience a lot of inconvenience while appearing for such exams that stretch over a three-month period under the present system.
“The education ministry is working to shorten the duration of public exams. We want public exams to be completed in five to six days,” education minister Nurul Islam Nahid told journalists after visiting Siddheshwari Girls College, a centre for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams, in the city yesterday.
 “If we immediately announce a drastic reduction in the duration of the exams, the guardians of the examinees will be caught unprepared. They don’t want sudden changes in the system. They will have to be convinced about bringing on this change,” he said.
The minister sought the cooperation of the guardians in this matter.
The theoretical exams commenced yesterday and will conclude on June 9. The practical examinations are slated to be held between June 11 and June 20.
Sharing his own experience, Nahid said, “For my matriculation, I sat for 10 papers in five days—a paper each in morning and afternoon, with a gap between every two papers. Parents today would not be happy even with a gap of two days between exams.”
“We’re still trying to convince the guardians that it is beneficial for examinees if they sit for their exams within a short duration because they tend to face more anxiety when there are gaps,” he added.
“Under the present system, it takes at least three months to complete all the exams. It's a complete waste of time. No classes are held during this time and the admission process  is delayed,” he said. “The main purpose of exams is to assess whether the examinees have been able to achieve any real knowledge. We’ll find such a system for our public exams,” he observed.
The minister said that public exams will eventually have far shorter durations, but implementing this will take time. He added that the HSC exams are being held peacefully and that no questions have leaked out.
“We’ve taken strict action against question paper leakage. Anyone spreading rumours about question papers on social media will face imprisonment for 14 years, or a fine of Tk. 1 crore, or both, under the ICT Act,” he said.

Govt mulls holding public exams in 5-6 days

The government is considering a proposal to shorten the timetable of public examinations in future to give some relief to the examinees, who experience a lot of inconvenience while appearing for such exams that stretch over a three-month period under the present system. The education ministry is working to shorten the duration of public exams. We want public exams to be completed in five to six days, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid told journalists after visiting Siddheshwari Girls College, a centre for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams, in the city yesterday. If we immediately announce a drastic reduction in the duration of the exams, the guardians of the examinees will be caught unprepared. They dont want sudden changes in the system. They will have to be convinced about bringing on this change, he said. The minister sought the cooperation of the guardians in this matter. The theoretical exams commenced yesterday and will conclude on June 9. The practical examinations are slated to be held between June 11 and June 20. Sharing his own experience, Nahid said, For my matriculation, I sat for 10 papers in five daysa paper each in morning and afternoon, with a gap between every two papers. Parents today would not be happy even with a gap of two days between exams. Were still trying to convince the guardians that it is beneficial for examinees if they sit for their exams within a short duration because they tend to face more anxiety when there are gaps, he added. Under the present system, it takes at least three months to complete all the exams. Its a complete waste of time. No classes are held during this time and the admission process is delayed, he said. The main purpose of exams is to assess whether the examinees have been able to achieve any real knowledge. Well find such a system for our public exams, he observed. The minister said that public exams will eventually have far shorter durations, but implementing this will take time. He added that the HSC exams are being held peacefully and that no questions have leaked out. Weve taken strict action against question paper leakage. Anyone spreading rumours about question papers on social media will face imprisonment for 14 years, or a fine of Tk. 1 crore, or both, under the ICT Act, he said.