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Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations begin across the country today with a record number of 779,441 examinees this year. In comparison to last year, 43,068 more students are taking part in the examinations this year under 10 education boards, including madrasa and technical boards. Some 424,823 male and 354,618 female examinees will sit for the examinations at 2,074 examination centres this year. Meanwhile, all preparations have been taken for smooth holding of the examinations. This year all disabled candidates will get extra 15 minutes for the examinations though blind students only enjoyed such facility last year. The written examinations will end on May 31 while the results are expected to be published within 60 days after the examinations. Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid spoke at a press conference at his secretariat office on Monday before beginning of the examinations. The minister said a total of 629,619 examinees from the general education boards, 76,957 from madrasa and 68,961 from technical education board have registered their names for the examinations. Apart from this, a total of 3,904 examinees registered for the examinations of Diploma in Business Studies under Dhaka Education Board. According to the information provided by the education ministry, highest 209,117 candidates will sit for the examinations under Dhaka board while 79,135 under Rajshahi, 63,039 under Comilla, 87,840 under Jessore, 48,075 under Chittagong, 36,342 under Barisal, 30,965 under Sylhet and 75,106 under Dinajpur Education Board. In madrasa board, some 44,973 examinees are male and 31,948 female whereas 46,779 male and 22,182 female students sit for the examinations under technical board. The education minister said students of today do not think about copying in the exams and they come to examination hall with good preparation. The government would also be very strict here against copying in the exams, he added. Nahid urged all political leaders and local representatives not to enter examination centres without reason. A total of 191 students will take part in the examinations in five overseas centres—Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Tripoli, Doha, and Riyadh. The government has taken special preparation for the examinees in Libya because of the ongoing violence in the country. Of the total 14 examinees in Libya, five have already returned home and they will appear the examination at Dhaka College Centre. The question paper, answer sheets and other necessary papers have already been sent to Libya through the foreign ministry on March 31 for the rest of the candidates who are staying there. Education Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury said letters have been issued to the divisional commissioners, deputy Commissioners and all concerned to maintain law and order at the examination centres. Prof Fahima Khatun, chairman of Dhaka Education Board, said the dropout rate has been reduced this year. Last year it was 18.24 percent while 19.92 percent in 2009. Bangla First Paper is being held today while the second examination, Bangla Second Paper, will be held on April 7.