On the eve of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, a remarkable administrative error has come to light under the Barisal Education Board. According to officials, 38,000 male students were incorrectly registered as ‘female’ in the system, causing widespread confusion and prompting students to rush to their colleges and the education board to rectify the records.
Professor G.M. Shahidul Islam, Controller of Examinations at the Barisal Board, explained that the error occurred due to a combination of computer programme settings and human oversight by the data entry operator. “The operator responsible for this mistake has been formally questioned,” he said.
Fortunately, the error was detected before the examinations began, allowing for prompt corrective action. Professor Shahidul added, “Students can now have their registration details corrected free of charge. There is no scope for harassment, and college authorities are actively assisting in resolving these issues.”
This year, a total of 81,831 students registered for the HSC examinations under the Barisal Board. Typically, students are registered six months after their admission into the first year of college, and printed registration cards are distributed at least one month before the start of the examinations.
The incorrect registration cards were first noticed during distribution in Jhalokathi and another district, after which it was discovered that 38,000 male students had been erroneously marked as female. The HSC examinations are tentatively scheduled for June 2026, giving authorities ample time to correct the discrepancies.
Professor Shahidul assured that corrective measures are already underway. “Since last Sunday, a significant number of registrations have been amended. This is not a major issue, and students’ participation in the exam will not be affected,” he stated.
Barisal Education Board: HSC 2026 Registration Summary
| Category | Total Students | Incorrect Gender Registration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 43,831 | 38,000 | Marked as ‘Female’ by mistake |
| Female | 38,000 | 0 | Correctly registered |
| Total | 81,831 | 38,000 | Corrections ongoing |
The board emphasised that students need not worry about exam eligibility or any delays caused by this clerical oversight. Colleges have been instructed to cooperate fully with the board, ensuring that every affected student receives the corrected registration in time for the examinations.
This incident highlights the critical importance of meticulous data entry and verification in large-scale educational processes, particularly when tens of thousands of students are involved. Officials remain confident that all errors will be resolved well before the start of the HSC examinations.
