Refrain from unnecessary criticism, says Bnagladesh PM

Bangladesh Desk:  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked people to refrain from unnecessary criticism of the results of the HSC and its equivalents.

She said futile discussions would only mount pressure on the students who were already under huge mental pressure due to the closure of educational institutions for a long time.

“The negative comments regarding the results will put psychological pressure on the students. I request those making such comments to refrain from doing it,” she said while announcing the results of last year’s HSC and its equivalents.

Bangladesh Desk:  The results were officially announced at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital’s Segunbagicha. The PM joined the event through videoconferencing from the Gono Bhaban.

Since no exam took place last year amid the pandemic, the results were prepared based on the candidates’ results in the Junior School Certificate (JSC), Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams. The results were published after coordinating 75 percent marks from the SSC and 25 percent marks from the JSC-JDC results.

She said all have to look at the academic life of the students as they must not be made upset.

“Already, they are not being able to go to schools, colleges, and universities. This has created a big obstacle to their lives. In this situation, any negative comment regarding their results and its system will put mental pressure on them,” the premier said.

About not holding the HSC and equivalent exams last year, she said the government was compelled to look at the health safety of the students, teachers and other employees and make this decision.

“Many people are making sentimental comments, but who will take the responsibility if anyone gets infected while doing this job [holding and attending exams]?” the PM questioned.

Talking about reopening of educational institutions, Hasina said if everybody follows the health safety guidelines properly, then the pandemic situation will come under control and the government will be able to reopen educational institutions very soon. “The government will observe the situation in February as it spread massively in the country in March last year.”

“If a good situation prevails in February, then we will take steps to reopen educational institutions on a limited scale…we have a plan like that.”

Education Minister Dipu Moni and Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel also spoke at the programme.

Chairmen of education boards handed the results to the PM. The education minister received the results on behalf of the premier.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations were postponed in October last year due to the pandemic situation.

The HSC batch of 2020 is the first batch of students who are getting certificates without taking the exams as it is the first time in Bangladesh’s history that a public examination has been cancelled.

The prime minister said it was a tough job to publish the results without holding any examination. She thanked the education ministry and all concerned for doing that job properly.

“We never want that a precious year gets wasted from the lives of students. Let their academic life continue… we want that. Hope, all will be happy with their results and continue their studies,” Hasina said.

Regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, the premier said the government has already procured vaccine doses and the vaccination programme has started in the country.

She said the government has asked the authorities concerned to ensure quick vaccination of teachers and the other people concerned.