HSC Examinees Block Roads, Demand Exam Suspension

A section of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees blocked key roads in Dhaka on Tuesday, demanding the suspension of examinations due to flooding and adverse weather, along with the resignation of Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon over the issue and alleged errors in question papers.

The protesters began demonstrations around 11:30am at the Science Laboratory intersection and almost simultaneously in Uttara, causing severe traffic congestion and disrupting commuters' movement across the capital.

Earlier, a group of examinees, under the banner "Shikkharthi Oikya" (Student Unity), announced road blockades at several locations, including Science Laboratory, Shahbagh, Uttara and Mirpur, through social media.

At the Science Laboratory intersection, the blockade brought traffic to a standstill on roads linking Shahbagh, Mohammadpur and Mirpur.

In Uttara, students from several colleges occupied the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in front of the BNS building, halting traffic in both directions.

Airport Zone Assistant Commissioner of Traffic (Uttara Division) HM Hasibur Rahman said no vehicles could move after the students blocked the highway.

"We requested them to clear the road after speaking with them, but they are not listening," he said.

The blockade caused widespread disruption in Uttara, with many outbound international travellers facing difficulties in reaching the airport. Police were deployed to maintain order.

The protesters placed three key demands:

Resignation of the Education Minister.
Suspension of HSC examinations until weather conditions improve.
An explanation regarding alleged errors in question papers.

The students said they were being forced to travel through floodwaters, storms and heavy rain to reach examination centres.

They also argued that large parts of Chattogram Division remain inundated, while flooding has spread to areas of Cumilla, Kurigram and Lalmonirhat, questioning why the examinations have not been postponed despite the deteriorating situation.