Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday passed the Intermediate and Secondary Education Amendment Bill-2021 aiming to remove any legal barriers on the way to publish the results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations by January 28.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni moved the bill in the House which was unanimously passed by voice votes with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

While placing the bill, the minister said the bill has been placed to promulgate ordinance amending the ‘Intermediate and Secondary Education Ordinance 1961’.

“Although the ordinance has mandatory provision of holding public examinations, not only Bangladesh, but the developed countries also have taken alternative steps instead of holding public examinations under the consequence of the COVID-19situation,” the minister told parliament.

Most of the opposition lawmakers including Harunur Rashid, Rumin Farhana, Rawshan Ara Mannan, Mokabbir Khan and MujibulHaq opposed the enactment of the law.

On the other hand, another opposition member Fazley Imam gave full support to enactment of the law and said “the enactment of the law is an expression of wisdom of the government considering the situation of the pandemic.”

Earlier on January 11, the cabinet approved amending the Intermediate and Secondary Education Ordinance 1961, Bangladesh Vocational Education Board Act 2018 and Madrasa Education Board Act 2020 allowing the education boards to publish results without holding examinations during any crisis.

Besides, two more bills—‘Bangladesh Vocational Education Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ and ‘Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021’– were also passed in the house.

‘Bangladesh Vocational Education Board Act 2018’ and ‘Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Act 2020’ also will be amended to frame other two proposed acts.

While placing the bill, the education minister said as per the existing laws, there is no provision to publish the results of HSC and equivalent exams without holding tests.

Since it is not possible to hold examinations during the Covid-19 pandemic, the amendment bills were placed, she added.

The results will be published after coordinating 75 percent of the SSC and 25 percent of JSC-JDC results, said the minister.

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations were postponed this year due to Covid-19 situation.

Source: BSS