The wait for Chittagong High School Certificate (HSC) candidates has been extended even further, this time with no end in sight. All remaining HSC and equivalent examinations under the Chittagong Board of Education have been postponed until further notice, the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordinating Committee announced in a press release on Thursday, July 16.
This decision replaces the previous suspension, which was only set to last until July 16. Instead of the exams resuming, the flood-stricken region now faces an indefinite pause.
What Exactly Is Suspended
The postponement covers all the remaining subjects of HSC, Alim, HSC (BMT), HSC (Vocational) and Diploma in Commerce examinations of the Chittagong Board, including the examinations of the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board and the Bangladesh Board of Technical Education within the districts of the board.
Examinations of other educational boards in the country, as well as those of madrasah and technical boards outside the Chittagong region, will continue as per the previously announced schedule.
Why the Board Extended the Suspension
The committee’s notice lists four considerations behind the decision:
- The overall situation in the flood-affected areas, which remains difficult even after the rains
- The mental and physical condition of the examinees, many of whom have spent days dealing with flooded homes
- Discussions with stakeholders — teachers, guardians, and local administration
- The suffering candidates face reaching centers over flood-damaged roads and broken communication links
Notably, this is the first time the boards have formally cited students’ mental and physical wellbeing as grounds for postponement — an acknowledgment of what families in the region have been living through.
How the Suspension Grew, Step by Step
For those keeping track, the disruption to the Chittagong Board of Education exams has been progressively extended: first, the second English exam on July 8 was postponed, then the ICT exam on July 11, followed by the exams on July 13, 15, and 16. Now, all remaining exams are suspended indefinitely.
The committee chairman and president of the Dhaka Board of Education, Professor Syed Aktaruzzaman, has requested that institutions, test-takers, and all those involved take the necessary steps in light of this decision.
What Happens to the Postponed Papers?
The revised schedule for all postponed exams will be announced later via an official statement. Depending on how the examination boards operate, the new dates will likely be announced once road access is restored and the examination centers are operational. As previously reported, the reserve question sets from the original draw will be used for these makeup exams.
Furthermore, the government’s announcement has a positive aspect: students in other parts of the country who were unable to take exams due to inclement weather will be able to take them on the same dates as the rescheduled Chittagong exams. Therefore, the new Chittagong schedule will have repercussions that extend beyond the five districts.
What Should Chittagong Candidates Do Now?
Stay in a constant review mode instead of cramming for a date that doesn’t yet exist. When the revised routine is published, it will be announced in advance; the boards have committed to doing so formally. Follow the board’s website and reliable news sources, and ignore any “leaked routines” circulating on social media.
Rising Barta will publish the revised Chittagong board schedule the moment it is officially released. Stay with us.
