Mobile Phones Prompt Expulsions as HSC Exams Begin with High Absenteeism
On the first day of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, Thursday, June 26, seven students were expelled for carrying mobile phones into exam halls—four from Mohanganj in Netrokona and three from Lalmai in Cumilla.
Mohanganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Jewel Ahmed reported that during an inspection at the Mohanganj Technical and Commercial College examination center, four male students were found in possession of mobile phones and unauthorized papers. The expulsions were enforced by Executive Magistrate and Mohanganj Assistant Commissioner (Land) M A Kader.
In Cumilla, Lalmai UNO and Executive Magistrate Himadri Khisha visited the examination hall at Baghmara Girls’ High School, under Principal Abul Kalam Majumdar Women’s College, about an hour after the exam began. He expelled three students after catching them using mobile phones during the test.
Meanwhile, 19,759 candidates were absent on the first day of the 2025 HSC and equivalent exams, a figure higher than last year’s 15,203 absentees on the opening day. On Thursday, exams commenced simultaneously at 2,797 centers across the country. Candidates under general education boards appeared for Bangla First Paper, while the Madrasa Board held Qur’an Majid exams and the Technical Board conducted tests in Bangla.
According to the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, among the absentees were 14,513 from nine general boards, 4,196 from the Madrasa Board, and 1,050 from the Technical Board. A total of 43 students were expelled across the country on the first day for engaging in malpractice.
