Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)– The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will begin simultaneously on Tuesday with a total of 1315,002 candidates appearing for the exams.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid made the announcement at a press briefing in his ministry in the capital Dhaka on Monday. 
The minister said the government has taken steps to hold the exams in a free, fair and congenial atmosphere.
He also urged the invigilators and vigilance teams to carry out their duties properly.
The examinations will be held at 2181 centres across the country under 10 education boards including one madrasa and one technical education board.
In 2010, 1206,019 students registered for the exams.
Of the total examinees, 991,860 are under eight general education boards and 239,711 under Madrasa Education Board and 83,431 under Technical Education Board.
The highest number of students is registered under Dhaka Education Board.
Of the total registered candiadtes, 308,098 will appear under Dhaka Board; 1,30,688 under Rajshahi Board; 1,16,400 under Comilla Board; 1,30,638 under Jessore Board; 76,959 under Chittagong Board; 61,828 under Barisal Board; 48,527 under Sylhet Board; and 1,25,922 under Dinajpur Board, according to the official data.
Besides, 261 examinees are sitting for the examinations from abroad.
 
BBN/SI/AD-31Jan11-7:51 pm (BST)