2027 SSC exams to be held after Ramadan: Education minister

Highlights:

• Ramadan is expected from 10 February to 10 March
• January exams would leave Class 9 students little time for revision
• Govt plans fixed schedules for SSC and university admission tests

The 2027 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations will not be held in February because of Ramadan and will instead take place after the holy month, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said today (31 August).

"Considering everything, February is the most suitable time for the SSC examinations. However, it will not be possible to hold the examinations in February this time because of Ramadan," he said.

The minister made the remarks at a press conference on his recent visit to China, in the meeting room of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division under the Ministry of Education.

He said the government had considered various factors in setting the examination schedule and wanted to bring the SSC examinations within a fixed timeframe.

If the examinations were held in January, they would continue for about a month and extend into the first week of February.

Ramadan is expected to begin on 10 February and continue until 10 March next year, making it impractical to hold the examinations during that period, he said.

Milon said the government wanted to establish a fixed schedule for the SSC examinations in the future. Although the exams are usually held during the monsoon or rainy season, the government plans to shift them to a specific period of the year.

The government is also considering fixing the timeframe for university admission tests in coordination with the SSC examinations, he said.

He added that the academic calendar should also be aligned with the schedules of students who plan to pursue higher education abroad.

On proposals to bring the SSC examinations forward, Milon said the government had considered the option following requests from relevant stakeholders.

Although classes and the syllabus for Class 10 students had been completed, there was not enough time for Class 9 students to revise their studies, he said.

The minister stressed that students need adequate time for revision before sitting for the examinations.

"Ramadan is a reality, and it has to be accommodated in the examination schedule. The government does not want students to suffer in any way. They need sufficient time, particularly for reviewing their studies," he said.