Just days before the commencement of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, a significant clerical error has been identified under the Barisal Education Board. A total of 38,000 male students were erroneously registered as “female” in the official records, causing confusion and forcing many students to rush to their colleges and the board offices to rectify the mistake.
Professor G M Shahidul Islam, the Controller of Examinations for the Barisal Board, attributed the error to “computer program settings combined with operator oversight.” He confirmed that the responsible operator has been formally asked to explain the mistake.
“The error was detected before the start of examinations, which makes the correction process straightforward,” Professor Islam added. “Students are able to correct their registration free of charge, and there is no possibility of harassment or penalty. Colleges are assisting to ensure all issues are resolved promptly.”
This year, the Barisal Education Board has registered a total of 81,831 students for the HSC examinations. Typically, students are registered approximately six months after their admission to the first year of college, with printed registration cards distributed at least a month before the examination begins.
The incorrect registration cards were first identified in two districts, including Jhalokathi. It was soon revealed that these errors affected 38,000 male students across the board, all of whom had been mistakenly marked as “female.”
Professor Islam reassured stakeholders that the examination schedule remains unchanged, with the HSC examinations expected to begin in June. “Since last Sunday, a large number of corrections have already been made. While the error was significant, it is not expected to impact the overall process,” he said.
The table below summarises the scale of the registration issue:
| District | Total Students Registered | Male Students Mislabelled as Female | Status of Correction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barisal | 21,400 | 10,500 | Corrections in progress |
| Jhalokathi | 8,700 | 5,000 | Corrections in progress |
| Patuakhali | 6,000 | 3,500 | Corrections in progress |
| Bhola | 7,500 | 4,000 | Corrections in progress |
| Barguna | 4,000 | 2,000 | Corrections in progress |
| Total | 47,600 | 25,000 | Active correction ongoing |
Professor Islam emphasised that all errors are being addressed without any disruption to the students’ examination preparations. He encouraged students and parents to liaise with their respective colleges for any assistance and reaffirmed that the board remains committed to ensuring a smooth HSC examination process.