A total of 26,928 candidates, or 1.56%, were absent on the first day of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations, which began with the Bangla First Paper for general and vocational students and the Quran paper for Dakhil students.

In addition, 22 candidates were expelled across 11 education boards for various irregularities.

The information was revealed in a press release on Thursday, signed by Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee President and Dhaka Education Board Chairman Prof Khondokar Ehsanul Kabir.

This year, 1,928,970 candidates were scheduled to sit the examinations at 3,715 centres across the country.

Measures taken to prevent question paper leaks: Education adviser

Education Adviser CR Abrar said on Thursday that the government has taken necessary steps to prevent the leaking of question papers in the ongoing SSC and equivalent examinations.

“We have attempted to shut down the sources that were previously involved in leaking question papers. As a result, no such incidents have been reported so far, and precautions have been taken to prevent any occurrences in the days ahead,” he said.

He made the remarks while visiting the examination centre at Motijheel Government Girls' High School. He later visited Dhanmondi Government Boys' High School and Quaderia Taiyabiya Alia (Kamil) Madrasa in Mohammadpur, Dhaka.

The education adviser also urged the public not to spread rumours on social media regarding question paper leaks. “Examinations such as the SSC involve months of preparation. Candidates and their guardians are already under considerable pressure. Please do not add to their stress by circulating baseless rumours,” he added.