CCTV cameras, tight vigil mark this year’s SSC exams

Central CCTV monitoring, tight surveillance, and swift measures by the education ministry to ensure cheating-free and fair examinations are some of the significant features of this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams, said people involved in the process.

A total of 18,51,423 candidates from 30,425 educational institutions across the country are set to participate in the SSC and equivalent examinations starting at 10am today at 3,902 examination centres.

The tough measures to prevent cheating at the exams were not surprising as even before the formation of the BNP government, various information about Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon circulated on social media, particularly highlighting his success in preventing different exam malpractices in his previous tenure.

Many noted that he helped shift students’ mindset away from automatic promotion, encouraging a stronger focus on studies.

The education minister has also emphasised ensuring fair examinations. To achieve this goal, he held several meetings with education board officials and decided to introduce CCTV-based monitoring in examination centres.

As a result, a centrally operated monitoring system has been established, said officials concerned.

Prof SM Kamal Uddin Haider, convener of the Inter-Education Board Examination Controller Committee and Controller of Examinations of the Dhaka Education Board, said that the IDs and passwords of the devices have been collected. A control room has been set up at the Ministry of Education, and CCTV cameras from all centres will be connected to it.

When asked whether such a large number of CCTV feeds could be monitored centrally or whether any AI-based system is being used to detect cheating by students or assistance from teachers, officials said they have not yet reached that stage.

However, they are working on it and hope to introduce such technology in the future through analysis of recorded footage.

Regarding overall preparations, officials said they are fully ready for the examinations. Question papers have already been distributed to all centres, and every centre is prepared to conduct the exams.

The gates of examination centres will open at 8am, allowing students to enter, while they will be seated in their examination rooms by 9:30am.

Meanwhile, a section of parents has alleged that the education minister’s remarks are creating psychological pressure on students, although cheating has largely been eliminated, which may affect their performance and overall well-being during the exams.

Considering the overall situation, the rule of silent expulsion has been withdrawn. The education minister has urged students to participate in examinations with joy and confidence.

Meanwhile, during the previous Awami League government, special instructions were given regarding answer script evaluation.

Under the interim government, the evaluation system returned to proper evaluation; now the education ministry is also emphasising fair and proper assessment this year.

According to sources, the Dhaka Education Board has the highest number of SSC examinees (3,61,335). There are 1,77,709 test takers in Rajshahi, 1,46,306 in Cumilla, 1,35,589 in Jashore, 1,30,579 in Chattogram, 81,831 in Barishal, 89,190 in Sylhet, 1,80,701 in Dinajpur, and 1,09,236 in Mymensingh.

A total of 3,04,286 students are appearing in the Dakhil examinations under the Madrasa Education Board, while 1,34,660 candidates are participating under the Technical Education Board.

SSC results within 60 days

Efforts are underway to publish the results of the SSC and equivalent examinations within 60 days this year in a bid to reduce session backlogs, Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon said at a press briefing on Monday at the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division conference room in the secretariat, the education minister.

The number of examiners for checking answer scripts is being increased, and sufficient time will be allocated for evaluation, he said.

To avoid wasting valuable academic time, he also hinted that SSC examinations may be held in December in the future, with education boards potentially implementing the change from 2027.

When asked about the timeline for implementation, the minister said the syllabus was distributed in January and classes began accordingly. Although some disruptions occurred, classes are now being held six days a week.

Mahdi Amin, advisor to the Prime Minister on Education and Primary and Mass Education, said that the government aims to remove “exam fear” from students’ minds.

He added that this year’s SSC batch missed primary and junior scholarship exams due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the SSC their first full-syllabus public examination.

He further stated that necessary instructions have been issued to ensure examination halls do not become a source of anxiety for students.