DHAKA, April 21, 2026 (BSS) - The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations for 2026 commenced simultaneously across the country at 10 am today.  On the opening day, candidates under the nine general education boards appeared in Bangla (Compulsory) First Paper and Easy Bangla (Sohoj Bangla) First Paper.  Examinees under the Madrasah Education Board sat for Quran Majid and Tajweed, while those under the Technical Education Board took Bangla-2 Paper.  According to the Inter-Education Board, a total of 18, 57,344 candidates from 11 education boards are participating in this year's examinations. Of them, 9, 30,305 are male and 9, 27,039 are female. Authorities have adopted extensive measures to ensure a fair, cheating-free and congenial examination environment. For the first time, CCTV cameras have been installed at every examination centre.  In addition, modern security arrangements-including digital tracking of question paper transportation-have been put in place.   The Ministry of Education has directed all field-level officials to provide full cooperation to maintain discipline and transparency. Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee Chairman and Dhaka Education Board Chairman Professor Dr Khondokar Ehsanul Kabir told BSS that all necessary preparations have been completed to hold the examinations in a fair and transparent manner.  He said multiple meetings were held with centre secretaries and strict guidelines were issued to ensure accountability. He also urged officials concerned, including those of all 11 education boards, to discharge their duties responsibly to ensure a smooth examination process. Of the total candidates, 14,18,398 students are appearing in the exams under the nine general education boards.  Dhaka Education Board has the highest number of candidates at 3,66,650.  Other boards include Rajshahi with 1,77,709 candidates, Cumilla with 1,46,817, Jashore with 1,35,089, Chattogram with 1,30,668, Barishal with the lowest at 81,831, Sylhet with 89,421, Dinajpur with 1,81,854, and Mymensingh with 1,08,359 candidates.  Under the Madrasah Education Board, 3,04,286 candidates are taking part, including 1, 61,491 males and 1, 42,795 females. Meanwhile, 1,34,660 candidates are appearing in Dakhil and SSC (Vocational) under the Technical Education Board. Of whom, 1,01,509 are male and 33,151 are female.  In total, examinees from 30,666 educational institutions are sitting for the examinations at 3,885 centres nationwide. Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon told BSS that the government is committed to ensuring a fair and orderly environment for public examinations.  He clarified that the stricter measures are aimed not at students, but at ensuring accountability among teachers and centre authorities. He further said there will be no provision for 'silent expulsion' in upcoming public examinations, as Article 29 of the 1961 policy has been abolished.  He urged students to sit for the examinations with confidence and wished them every success.