Coaching centres must close three days before start of SSC exams: Govt

The ministry is also considering ways to shut off access to the internet and Facebook during the exams.

The government made the decision on coaching centres on Monday in an effort to create a “fair and fraud-free environment” for examinees.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid presided over a national monitoring committee meeting that made the decision.

The theory exams for the SSC and equivalent exams are to be held between Feb 1 and Feb 24. Accordingly, coaching centres will have to be closed from Jan 29 to Feb 24.

Examinees will have to enter their respective examination centre and take their assigned seats at least 30 minutes before the start of the exam.

“No excuses will be accepted,” the education ministry said in a statement.

An examinee who fails to report 30 minutes before the start of the exams will not be allowed in.

Any examinee found in possession of a mobile phone will be ejected from the exam immediately in an effort to curb cheating, according to the statement.

“No-one will be able to use smartphones at the exam centres. Only the secretary of the examination centre will be able to use a regular phone.”