Cumilla HSC exam centre changed due to waterlogging

The Cumilla Education Board has decided to change the HSC examination centre at Cumilla Government Women's College after heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging, forcing examinees to wade through waist-deep water.

On Monday morning, nearly 1,000 examinees had to wade through water to reach the centre. Many took the three-hour exam in wet clothes, while some could not arrive on time.

Cumilla Education Board Controller of Examinations Professor Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said from the next exam, students of this centre will sit at Ajit Guha Mahavidyalaya in the city.

Examinees and guardians said 107mm rainfall was recorded in Cumilla from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, causing immense suffering for HSC candidates.

The city corporation arranged two boats and two vans to help students reach the centre, but the submerged road caused hardship for students, guardians and hospital visitors.

Cumilla Education Board Deputy Controller of Examinations Kazi Apon Tibarani said many students arrived late due to waterlogging, so an extra 30 minutes were given.

Students complained of discomfort from sitting in wet clothes for three hours, with burqa-clad students facing additional difficulty.

Hundreds of guardians were seen standing in water waiting for their children.

Cumilla City Corporation Administrator Yusuf Mollah Tipu said workers are working on the ground to drain the water quickly.