Why the delay in postponing HSC exams amid national trauma?

A storm of student protests and public outrage erupted across the country today (22 July) as the Ministry of Education delayed the announcement to postpone HSC and equivalent exams, amid national trauma following the Milestone plane crash.

The tragedy unfolded yesterday (21 July), when a Bangladesh Air Force aircraft crashed into Milestone School and College in the capital's Uttara area, resulting in multiple casualties, mostly children. 

Sources close to the Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam revealed that internal disagreements and bureaucratic indecision were at the heart of the delay.

Yesterday evening, Adviser Asif Mahmud proposed postponing the exams to Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar. However, Abrar responded unfavourably, insisting the exams would proceed as scheduled, according to sources. 

Abrar allegedly cited Milestone College's opinion, claiming the institution preferred the exams to go ahead.

Sources said when Adviser Mahfuj attempted to reach the education adviser later that night to express growing concerns among students, he received no response. 

Meanwhile, anger was spreading among students nationwide. Notre Dame College examinees declared a boycott of the exams, and calls for the resignation of Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Asif Mahmud Mahfuj Alam flooded social media.

Failing to reach the education adviser over the phone, Mahfuj then visited his residence late last night. 

Sources confirmed that there, it became clear that the core opposition to postponement came from the Ministry of Education's Senior Secretary Siddique Zobair. His firm stance reportedly influenced the education adviser to hold back the decision.

Eventually, at around 3am that night, Mahfuj wrote on Facebook that he met with the education adviser. "The decision has been made to postpone today's HSC and equivalent exams."

The delayed announcement, however, failed to quell student fury. Massive protests broke out in Dhaka, Sylhet, Barishal, Chattogram, and other parts of the country today, with students demanding the resignation of the education adviser and the secretary.

In response to the pressure, the Ministry of Education this afternoon removed Ministry of Education Senior Secretary Siddique Zobair from his post.

Attempts to contact Adviser Rafiqul Abrar for a comment were unsuccessful.