Special HSC Exam Held in Rajshahi for Students Defrauded Over Forms

A special Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination took place on Monday, August 24, 2024, at the Rajshahi New Govt Degree College Centre located in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. This special testing arrangement was specifically organized by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Rajshahi, to accommodate students who had missed their earlier examinations under unfortunate circumstances.

The situation arose because a group of students from Abdulpur Government College missed their initial HSC Bangla 1st paper examination. Investigation and verified facts revealed that this absence was caused by fraud committed by a library staff member named Amit Kumar Sarkar. Instead of completing the official registration and form fill-up process for the affected students, Sarkar took money from them—specifically collecting three thousand and five hundred taka—without actually finalizing their documentation for the board exams.

The plight of these affected candidates came to light following media reports published by organizations such as Prothom Alo and Dhaka Post. Following these crucial media reports and subsequent intervention, prompt special arrangements were officially made by the education board. Officials including Shamim Ara Chowdhury, Israt Jahan Suchi, Md. Mamdudur Rahman, Iffat Jerin, Sabuj Ahmed, Shimul Sheikh, Akibul Islam, Tanvir Hossain, Shimul Ali, Sabbir Hossain, Shaon, Ehsanul Haque Milon, and Rabiul Islam were connected to the broader context of the examinations and reporting.

Parents and guardians faced significant logistical challenges due to the rescheduled test location. Imamul Haq, a parent of one of the affected students, shared his experience regarding the distance and relocation. He noted that because the examination center was situated approximately sixty kilometers away from their home, he had to take his daughter and stay at a relative's house in Rajshahi. He further mentioned that this new environment caused some initial difficulties and problems for his daughter as she prepared to take her crucial tests.

Providing details on the administrative handling of the case, Md. Mamdudur Rahman explained the timeline of events following the discovery of the deception. He stated that last Wednesday, the education board officially informed the college regarding the arrangement to take the examinations for the eight students who had fallen victim to the staff member's fraud. He added that the college authorities promptly informed the examinees about the development, emphasizing that all final decisions regarding the matter were strictly taken by the education board itself.

Further elaborating on the attendance at the venue, Iffat Jerin provided figures regarding the special testing session. She confirmed that the examination was actively taking place at the Rajshahi New Govt Degree College Centre, noting that a total of thirty-seven examinees were scheduled to participate in the HSC examinations at this particular center. The coordinated efforts by the educational authorities ensured that these disadvantaged students were ultimately given a fair opportunity to sit for their missed tests and continue their academic journeys.