Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations of 2017 will begin across the country tomorrow.
A total of 11,83,686 examinees from 8,864 educational institutions will take part in the examinations. Of the total candidates, 6,35,697 are male and 5,47,989 female.
The theoretical examinations will continue till May 15, while practical examinations will be held from May 16-25, education ministry sources said. Earlier, Education Minister Nurul Islam 
Nahid at a press briefing said examinations of 50 papers on 26 subjects will be held under creative question method this year.
A total of 9,82,783 examinees under eight general education boards will participate in the examinations this year while some 99,320 will appear in the examinations from madrasa board.
As many as 68,697 students under technical institutions will appear in the examinations and 3,673 in DIBS examinations.
Some 271 examinees from seven overseas centres will take part in the examinations. Of the examinees, 129 are male and 142 female.
Additional 20 minutes time will be given to students with disabilities in the HSC and equivalent examinations to encourage them for continuing their studies. Extra 30 minutes will be given to the students with special needs, including autism.
“Tougher action will be taken against the persons, who will be found guilty for question paper leakage and other malpractices,” the minister said, adding that law enforcers will keep sharp vigil to resist any ill attempts including question papers leakage.
Nahid urged the guardians and examinees not to be misguided by any quarter as they may create confusions over the examinations by launching propaganda through facebook, mobile phones and other ways.
A total of 12,18,628 examinees appeared in the HSC and equivalent examinations last year.
-BSS
