Dhaka: Coaching centres, photocopy shops and Facebook have been brought under scanner to prevent question paper leakage in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations, says Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

The government has taken all-out preparations to hold the HSC and its equivalent examinations in a peaceful and copy-free environment, he told reporters during his visit to an exam centre at Siddheswari Girls College in the capital during the first day of the examinations on Sunday, reported UNB.

Tight measures have been taken to prevent question papers leakage, Nahid said, but a quarter is trying to destroy examination-friendly atmosphere spreading rumor of question paper leakage.  

Asking all to keep alert against such rumor, he said tight surveillance has also been taken on the process of question papers printing and transportation. 

The Education Minister said the law enforcers like RAB and Detective Brach (DB) of police are performing their duties to ensure suitable environment for the examinations. 

The HSC and its equivalent examinations began across the country on Sunday.

Over 12.18 lakh students under eight general education boards, Madrasah Education Board and Bangladesh Technical Education Board sit for the examinations. The examinations will end on June 9 while the practical tests will be held form 11 June to 20June.

This year, some 12, 18, 628 students from 8,533 educational institutions sit for the examinations. Of them, 10,20, 109 students sit for the HSC exams under eight general education boards, while 91, 591 students appear in Alim (Higher secondary level of madrasa) examinations, 1, 02, 132 in Bangladesh Technical Education exams and some 4796 students in Diploma in Business Studies (DIBS) exam.

Apart from 2,452 centres in Bangladesh, the exams are also being held in seven overseas centres where 262 students are taking part.