Dhaka: A total of 86,842 examinees have increased Junior School Certificate (JSC) and Junior Dakhil Certificate (JDC) examinations in this year compared to the last year as 23,25933 candidates took part in 2015, said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid.

The examination will begin across the country on 1 November with the participation of 24,12,775 examinees.

As many as 24,12,775 students from 28,761 educational institutions will appear in this year’s examinations, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid told at a press briefing in the conference room of the Education Ministry in Dhaka on Sunday.

Education Secretary Md Sohrab Hossain, senior officials of the ministry and chairmen of different education boards, among others, were present in the press briefing.

‘The number of JSC examinees is 20,38,303, Of them, 9,49,145 are males while 10,75,228 females,’ Nahid said, adding a total of 3,78,472 examinees will participate in the JDC examination this year. Among the JDC students, 1,75,228 are males and 1,99,244 females, he added.

A total of 681 students from eight overseas centres will appear in the JSC examinations, he added

 ‘The JSC and JDC examinations will started from 1 November and end on 17 November. The results will be published within 30 December,’ the education minister added.

Since introduction of JSC and JDC examinations in 2010, the minister said, the number of examinees continues increasing gradually in the JSC and JDC examinations, which has showed a positive sign in checking dropout rate at secondary level.

He observed terminal examinations system at primary level and JSC and JDC examinations at junior secondary level significantly contributed to reducing dropout rate of the students.

As many as 14,92,802 students appeared JSC and JDC examinations in 2010, 18,61,113 examinees in 2011, 19,08,365 in 2012, 19,02,746 candidates in 2013, 20,90,692 in 2014 and 23,25,933 examinees in 2015.

Nahid said, ‘We have introduced JSC and JDC examination system for improving quality of education.’

This examination system is encouraging students to remain in schools to get certificates, which will make them more enthusiastic about further continuing their studies.’

Nahid said except Bangla second paper, English first paper and English second paper, examinations of all subjects at JSC and JDC level will be held under creative question paper this year.

‘We have introduced JSC and JDC examination system for improving quality of education. After getting certificates of JSC and JDC examinations, students will be more encouraged to continue their studies,’ he added.