Asif, an HSC candidate from a college in the capital, is one of many students grappling with a significant change in their academic journey. With seven exams completed and six more remaining, Asif recently reached out to confirm rumours that the government had decided to cancel the remaining exams. When I confirmed the news, his reaction was unexpected—he was upset.
When asked why he was upset, Asif expressed concerns about the implications of an “auto pass,” a scenario in which students would pass based on previous academic performance, such as the SSC results, without completing their final exams. For many students like Asif, this approach does not feel honorable. He feels that passing without completing the exams does not reflect his true potential and hard work.
The decision to cancel exams and potentially rely on SSC results to determine final grades raises important questions about self-esteem and fairness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, similar measures were taken, and it seems the authorities might be considering a similar approach now. However, the concerns of students like Asif need to be carefully considered. Is the mental and emotional impact on these teenagers being taken into account?
Asif’s anxiety is not isolated. He shared with me screenshots of a Facebook group where his friends had been discussing the cancellation. The comments from his peers reveal a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the decision:
1. “Auto pass is a curse; only those who get it know. Those advocating for an auto pass will one day regret it.”
2. “Mass GPA 5 will devalue the qualification. Students with lower SSC scores will suffer, and the future of all students will be uncertain, especially in the job market and for those seeking higher education abroad.”
3. “Some students are pushing for an auto pass, but for many, passing the HSC exam is the culmination of their efforts.”
4. “I scored 4.85 in SSC and have worked hard since then. Being given an auto pass now ruins my plans to study medicine.”
5. “People are driven by self-interest, often overlooking the greater good. All my efforts have been in vain, and I reject this decision.”
These comments underscore the students’ frustration and the perceived injustice of the decision. Their arguments are clear and compelling, but the question remains—did these thoughts influence the policymakers?
It is important to ask how many candidates actually supported the cancellation of the exams. Did the protests at the secretariat, led by a group of teenagers, truly represent the majority of the candidates? How did they manage to breach the heavily guarded secretariat, a place even journalists struggle to enter without proper accreditation? These are questions that need to be addressed.
The decision to cancel the exams seems to be driven by fear—fear that students might take to the streets in protest. However, this fear might be unfounded. Many students and their parents are in favor of continuing with the exams. Students from various institutions, including Notre Dame, have already marched in support of holding the exams. The rationale behind postponing the exams is understandable, especially considering the recent violence during the popular uprising, where students from various institutions were victims. However, this does not justify a blanket cancellation.
The exams could have been postponed with special arrangements made for those affected by the violence. Students under treatment could have been given the opportunity to take the exams later, and those unable to take them at all could have been assessed based on their SSC results and the marks they obtained in the previous exams. These exceptions could have been managed without canceling the exams for the majority.
Most of the candidates are physically fit and ready to take the exams. While it is true that many students are dealing with trauma, life does not stop because of it. People continue to move forward, even after experiencing significant losses. The government’s decision to cancel the exams instead of postponing them until the end of September appears hasty and could have lasting negative effects.
If the government sticks to this decision, it will signal a significant weakness in the education administration and the interim government. We hope that the ministry, led by renowned economist Wahid Uddin Mahmood, will reconsider this decision. Cancelling the HSC and equivalent exams could leave a permanent stain on the lives and careers of the 2024 higher secondary examinees.
These students will forever wonder if they could have scored higher marks if they had taken the exams, which might have given them an edge in university admissions. More troubling is the thought that they will carry the stigma of an “auto pass” for the rest of their lives, despite completing almost half of their exams. This could cause them considerable mental anguish.
Why should the interim government take on this responsibility? It is essential to reconsider the decision and ensure that students like Asif, who have worked hard and prepared for their exams, are given the opportunity to complete their academic journey with dignity and fairness.