Dhaka, April 21, 2026 — Bangladesh’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations have commenced under the strain of widespread power outages, prompting concern among students, parents, and officials over preparation and exam-day conditions.
A total of 1.86 million candidates are taking part in the exams this year across 3,885 centers nationwide. However, persistent load shedding—lasting up to 8–10 hours daily in many districts—has severely disrupted study routines, particularly in rural areas where access to backup power remains limited.
The ongoing electricity shortfall, largely driven by global energy supply constraints, has significantly reduced power generation. According to the Power Grid Bangladesh, the country recorded a deficit of more than 1,200 megawatts during daytime demand on April 20, with similar shortages during evening peak hours, forcing authorities to impose rolling blackouts.
Regions including Chattogram, Barishal, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Khulna have been among the worst affected, experiencing frequent and prolonged outages. In many rural communities, students have been forced to study under candlelight or kerosene lamps.
“Daytime outages are manageable despite the heat, but evenings are extremely difficult with power cuts almost every hour,” said a parent from Banshkhali in Chattogram. “Not everyone can afford generators or IPS systems.”
Authorities Assure Measures to Protect Exams
Officials from the Ministry of Education Bangladesh said steps have been taken to ensure that examinations proceed smoothly despite the crisis.
“All examination centers have been instructed to arrange alternative power sources, including generators where possible,” an education ministry official said. “We are coordinating with the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to prioritize electricity supply during exam hours so that students do not face disruption.”
A senior official from the power division added that load management schedules are being adjusted to minimize outages during morning exam sessions. “We are trying to ensure stable supply at least during the examination period,” the official said.
Authorities have also begun making public announcements to inform residents in advance about scheduled outages, urging patience as they manage limited supply.
This year’s SSC candidates include more than 930,000 boys and 927,000 girls. Of them, 1.42 million are under general education boards, while over 300,000 are sitting for madrasa (Dakhil) exams and around 134,000 for technical education streams.
Despite assurances, experts warn that uninterrupted electricity remains critical to maintaining fairness and reducing stress during the examinations. Without consistent power supply, many students—particularly in rural areas—may continue to face significant challenges during one of the most important academic milestones in Bangladesh’s education system.
