Khulna, April 9 -- The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations under the Jashore Education Board are set to begin on Thursday, with 27,597 examinees expected to sit for the exams in Khulna district as elsewhere across the country.

The candidates include students from schools, madrasas and vocational institutions, and the exams will be held across 83 centres throughout the district.

Last year, a total of 29,545 students took part in the exams, showing a decline of 1,948 candidates this year.

Officials have cited ongoing political instability and the financial challenges faced by students' families as the primary reasons behind the decline.

According to the district administration, 37 decisions were adopted at an SSC exam coordi...