CCTV mandated in all SSC exam halls

The government has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in every classroom at all examination centres across the country for the upcoming Secondary School Certificate and equivalent exams.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) issued the directive on Saturday, which was made public on Sunday.

The measure aims to curb cheating by students during the exams scheduled to begin on Apr 21. “A set of instructions has been sent to all centre secretaries and heads of institutions to install CCTV cameras in every room of every SSC examination centre,” Mohammad Yunus Faruqi, DSHE assistant director (Secondary-2), told bdnews24.com.

He added that authorities have been instructed not only to install the cameras but also to preserve the footage and provide it to the government upon request.

The 11 instructions sent to the educational institutions include centres with broken or inactive CCTV systems must repair or replace them before the start of the exams.

No teachers or students, except the centre secretary, are permitted to carry or use mobile phones inside the premises, according to the DSHE.

Every candidate must undergo a physical search before entry, while every exam hall must be equipped with a traditional wall clock with hands.

The DSHE has instructed that main gates display clear guidelines for parents and students to maintain a “cheating-free” atmosphere.

The DSHE warned that any negligence or failure to comply with these rules, leading to “unwanted situations”, will result in severe legal action against the responsible centre secretaries and institutional heads.

The decision follows a meeting held at the Ministry of Education on Mar 25.

The SSC exams will conclude on May 20.

Practical exams are scheduled to take place from Jun 7 to Jun 14.

All theoretical tests will be held from 10am to 1pm.