13,069 absent on first day

Some 13,069 students were absent on the first day of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations yesterday.

Besides, 66 students and an invigilator were expelled on the first day for adopting unfair means, according to the education ministry's control room.

A total of 995,437 candidates from 8,864 institutions sat for the examinations this year through 2,489 examination centres across the country.

A total of 271 examinees appeared at the HSC examination through seven oversees examination centres -- two each in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and one each in Qatar, Libya and Bahrain.

The written examinations will end on May 1 while the practical tests will be held from May 16 to May 25.