On the third day of the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations in Bangladesh, 33,129 students were absent and 48 were expelled, according to official statistics released on Monday. The number of absentees and expulsions increased compared to the previous two exam days. On the second day, 27,327 students were absent and 17 expelled, while on the first day, 24,784 were absent and 7 expelled.

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, chaired by Professor Syed Akhteruzzaman of the Dhaka Board, reported that among 997,021 candidates under nine general education boards, 25,034 were absent in the English first paper exam. In the Madrasa Board’s Bangla first paper exam, 5,152 students were absent out of 83,333, and in the Technical Board exams, 2,943 were absent out of 83,776. Expulsions were recorded across multiple boards, with the highest numbers in Dhaka and Cumilla.

This year’s HSC exams began on Thursday across 2,697 centers and 9,439 institutions, involving 1,270,583 students—22,766 more than last year. The written exams will continue until August 8, followed by practical exams by August 15, under CCTV surveillance for the first time to prevent question leaks.