At least 20 SSC examinees have been left distressed after being given the wrong question paper during the Bengali First Paper examination at a center in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi.
The incident occurred at the Karachar Maulvi Tofazzal Hossain High School examination center, where authorities reportedly distributed a 2025 question paper instead of the 2026 syllabus paper meant for regular examinees.
The affected students, from four different schools, completed their exam using the incorrect paper despite raising objections at the time.
The four schools are Putia High School, Famous Institute Junior Secondary School, Haji Shamsher Ali High School and Ghaghatia High School.
They later alleged that center officials instructed them to proceed with the test and discouraged them from reporting the issue.
As a result, the 20 students now fear poor results and possible failure in the subject, according to guardians and examinees who spoke to journalists at the Narsingdi Press Club on Thursday.
Several students, including Mahima Akhter Mim, claimed their preparation was severely affected and that they expect significantly low marks due to the mismatch in question papers.
The students — Nadira Sultana, Ummehani, Nazir Ahmed, Vishal Das, Samrat Bhuiyan, Siam Hossain, Aminul, Abhi, Shakib and Md Shahparan — alleged that they immediately informed the teachers concerned about the error in the question paper during the examination.
However, they claimed that the officials in charge of the center allegedly threatened them and instructed them to continue the exam with the incorrect question paper and not to disclose the matter to anyone outside.
Former District Education Officer A.K.M. Shahjahan said the incident occurred due to negligence by the center secretary, hall superintendent and invigilators.
He added that the question paper was designed for candidates who failed the previous year.
“It was necessary to observe carefully while distributing this question paper. Since they did not do that, the students or examinees are now having to pay the price for their mistake,” he said.
Narsingdi Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) Md Rasheduzzaman said the administration has been informed and initial action has already been taken, including relieving those responsible at the center.
“Further action will be taken as per higher authority instructions,” he said.