Govt considers holding SSC exams in Dec to align with academic calendar: Edu minister

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon today (20 April) said the government is considering holding the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations in December, aiming to align the public exam schedule with the academic year, although no final decision has been made yet.

"Why should a year of students' lives be wasted?" he said at a press conference in Dhaka.

The minister said classes begin in January and the academic course ends in December, making it logical to hold exams after the completion of the syllabus.

He also added that the ministry is assessing whether SSC and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams can be completed by 31 December

According to sources at the education ministry, efforts are underway to revise the public examination schedule to save students' time and restore discipline in the education system.

Under the current system, students sit for the SSC exam in the year following completion of Class 10, and a similar pattern applies to HSC examinations.

Traditionally, SSC exams were held in early February and HSC exams in early April, but the schedule saw major disruptions following the Covid-19 pandemic.

This trend continues this year, with the 2026 SSC examinations beginning on 21 April and the HSC exams scheduled to start on 2 July.

Responding to multiple questions, the minister indicated that the government is considering setting exam schedules in line with the January-to-December academic calendar, though he did not specify when the changes might take effect.

He also said that despite some recent disruptions, efforts are ongoing to complete the syllabus within the stipulated time by holding classes six days a week.

Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin and Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director General (acting) Professor Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel were also present at the press conference.