The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations will start from August 17 as per the schedule, Education Minister Dipu Moni said on Tuesday.

Besides, coaching centres will remain closed across the country from August 14 to September 25 due to the exams, she said at a briefing on the HSC examinations at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka.

The minister announced that all educational institutions in Bandarban, Cox's Bazar, Khagrachhari and Chattogram districts will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to the ongoing flood caused by heavy rains.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board released the routine of the exams for all education boards on June 8.

According to the routine, HSC written exams will begin on August 17 and will continue till September 25, while practical exams will be held from September 26 to October 4.

The HSC exams will be held for three hours from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. This year's exams will begin with the Bangla first paper.