Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations, which were postponed following the plane crash at Milestone School and College, will be held on the same day, Education Adviser CR Abrar has said.

He made the statement while talking to reporters at the Secretariat today (23 July).

The postponed HSC exams originally scheduled for 22 and 24 July will be held on the same day, with the 22 July exams in the morning and the 24 July exams in the afternoon, Abrar said.

However, he noted that the exact date for these rescheduled exams has not yet been finalised. "We will notify the new date through an official announcement."

The 22 July exams include Chemistry 2nd Paper, Islamic History and Culture 2nd Paper, History 2nd Paper, Home Management and Family Life 2nd Paper, and Production Management and Marketing 2nd Paper.

On the other hand, the 24 July exams were set to be Economics 1st Paper and Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice 1st Paper.

So, students of the Science and Arts groups might have to sit for two exams in a single day.

Meanwhile, there have been mixed reactions from both netizens and examinees. Some have said students will not have to sit for two exams on the same day, as there were exams of different groups scheduled for the two days.

However, some students clarified that they, in fact, might have to sit for two exams on the same day if this schedule is maintained.

In response to a Facebook comment stating there were exams of different groups on the two days, Farhan Alam wrote, "Chemistry and Engineering Drawing are both science subjects."

For instance, those who were supposed to sit for both the Chemistry 2nd Paper and the Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice 1st Paper will have to appear for the exams at different centres on the same day, with very little time in between.

Many are worried about managing the logistics, reaching separate venues in time and the added mental stress.

One Sohaina Rafia mentioned in a Facebook comment, "I am a Science student. I have to sit for the Chemistry exam in the morning and the Engineering Drawing in the afternoon.

"Engineering Drawing is held in our own college. So after giving the Chemistry exam, I have to set out for my college."

At the same time, some online users have criticised the government's move without offering any clear explanation, prompting confusion and frustration among students who are already under pressure.

Education officials have yet to respond to these criticisms directly.