1.43 lakh absent on first day

More than 1.43 lakh examinees, out of nearly 31 lakh, were absent on the first day of the primary terminal examinations for class V of schools and madrasas yesterday.

The students took English on the first day and will sit for Bangla today.

Two students--one from Dhaka division and another from Rajshahi--were expelled, said the Directorate of Primary Education.

Primary and Mass Education Minister Mostafizur Rahman visited several examination centres in the capital. He, however, did not enter any exam rooms to relieve the examinees of any disturbances.

Mostafizur urged the political parties not to enforce any programme that disrupts the exams.