To ensure the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil, SSC (Vocational), and Dakhil (Vocational) exams in 2025 are conducted fairly, securely, and without malpractice, the Ministry of Education has issued a circular outlining new directives for examinees. The circular emphasises strict monitoring to prevent question leaks and misinformation, instructing law enforcement and district administrations to take firm action against those involved in supplying answers.
The directive, published on Thursday by the Dhaka Education Board, includes the following key measures:
- Mandatory early arrival: All examinees must enter the exam centre and take their seats at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam. If a student arrives late due to unavoidable circumstances, their name, roll number, entry time, and reason for delay must be recorded in a register. The list of latecomers will be sent daily to the respective education board by the centre secretary. However, no examinee will be allowed entry 30 minutes after the exam begins.
- Restricted use of mobile phones and electronic devices: No one, except the centre secretary, is allowed to use mobile phones, smartwatches, or unauthorised electronic devices inside the exam centre. The centre secretary may use a basic feature phone without a camera or internet access. Anyone found using an unauthorised device will face disciplinary action.
- Question paper handling restrictions: Officials, teachers, and staff involved in receiving and transporting question papers from treasury offices, police stations, or secured custody cannot use mobile phones. Additionally, black-tinted microbuses or similar vehicles cannot be used for question paper transportation.
- Deployment of executive magistrates: Each exam centre will have an assigned executive magistrate (tag officer). The centre secretary or an authorised representative must collect question papers from secure custody in the presence of the tag officer and police escort. No question papers can be removed or transported without the tag officer’s presence.
- Random selection of question paper sets: Exam centres will receive all sets of multiple-choice and creative/descriptive questions. The set code will be announced 25 minutes before the exam, and the designated set will be used accordingly. The question paper packet must be opened in the presence of the tag officer, centre secretary, and police officer, who must confirm and sign off on the set code selection.
- Restricted entry at exam centres: Only examinees and authorised personnel will be allowed inside exam centres during the exam period. Any unauthorised individual attempting to enter will face legal consequences.
- Time adjustments for delayed exams: If an exam starts late for unavoidable reasons, students will be given the full duration specified on the question paper from the actual start time.
- Law enforcement vigilance: Security personnel assigned to exam centres and question paper transportation will maintain heightened vigilance throughout the process.
- Strict legal action against leaks: Authorities will take strict legal measures against individuals involved in leaking question papers or supplying answers to students.
- Monitoring social media activities: Law enforcement and relevant government departments will monitor social media for any question leak-related rumours or suspicious activities.
- Photocopy shops to remain closed: All photocopy machines near exam centres must remain closed during exam hours.
- Closure of coaching centres: To maintain a fair and controlled exam environment, all coaching centres will remain closed from 10 April 2025 to 13 May 2025.
- Swift answer sheet dispatch: Education boards have instructed exam centres to send completed answer sheets to the nearest postal office as quickly as possible after each exam.
- Section 144 enforcement: To prevent any external interference, Section 144 will be imposed in areas surrounding exam centres.
- Media communication: The Chairperson of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and the Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board will serve as the official spokespersons for all exam-related information in the media.