DHAKA: The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2015 began on Friday despite the nationwide road-water-railway blockade for indefinite period sponsored by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.

The examination started at 9:00am and will continue till 12:00 noon.

The schedule of the SSC examination has been postponed and rescheduled twice due to the five-day hartal called by the BNP-led 20-party coalition.

The examination of February 2 is being held on February 6, according to the latest announcement.

However, tension mounted among the examinees, guardians and schoolteachers considering the ongoing political turmoil in the country.

This year, a total of 1,479,266 students are participating in the examinations.

Dhaka Education Board chairman Abu Bakar Siddique said that all preparations are set to start the examinations in every board.

The law enforcers remain in alert position across the country to ensure the safety of the SSC examinees, he added.

Moreover, mobile teams of the law enforcement agencies are patrolling around the examination centers as part of the security measures, the official said.

He also sought everyone’s assistance to complete the examination process.

On the other hand, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid also sought assistance from everyone so that the examination can be held properly.

However, the minister is scheduled to visit Azimpur Government Girls School and College and Alia Madrasa center on Friday morning. The minister is hopeful to conclude the examinations in due time.

However, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia called the non-stop blockade on January 5 as she failed to come out of her office, due to police obstruction, to attend a party program marking the first anniversary of the last general elections.

Though many students, teachers, guardians and organizations urged BNP chief to refrain from hartal or blockade during SSC examination but she did not pay heed to their requests and remained strict with movement programs.

In this situation, the students and their guardians expressed their deep concern on the issue of the security on the way of examinations and examination schedule as well.

BDST: 0900 HRS, FEB 06, 2015