The government is planning to change the national academic calendar to hold both SSC and HSC exams in December, Education Adviser A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said in a recent interview. He also stated that students would sit for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam at age 16 and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam at age 18 under the new system.
Speaking to a private satellite television channel, Milon said the plan aims to complete the full academic cycle within a fixed timeframe each year. He explained that syllabus coverage, class assessments, and board exams would all be completed by December.
“If we can hold the exams within December, then all academic activities will be completed on time,” he said. He added that secondary-level admissions could then begin in January, allowing students to follow a clear two-year academic cycle without delays.
According to the proposal, December will be reserved as the examination period. Education boards will be required to conduct exams during this month and publish results quickly. After receiving results, students will move directly to the next stage, including university admission after HSC.
Milon said the change could help reduce session backlog, a long-standing issue in Bangladesh’s education system where delays affect academic progression. “Students will be able to enter university without any session gap,” he noted.
The adviser also confirmed that work is ongoing to adjust the curriculum to match the proposed timeline. He said the new system could be introduced from 2027, depending on whether the syllabus can be completed within the planned schedule.
He added that specific rollout years such as 2026 or 2028 are still under review. “First, we need to plan properly. The academic year will end in December, and all activities must be completed within that time,” he said.