Examinees found with 'copies' will have to face summary trial under the Public Examination Act, 1980. Helicopters will remain ready to fly the education ministry officials to anywhere cheating is reported.

A total of 9,73,958 examinees will appear at 1,723 centres all over the country for the SSC, Dakhil and SSC Vocational examinations.

Of them, 7,61,960 will appear in the SSC examinations under the seven education boards, 1,80,546 in the Dakhil examinations under the Madrassah Education Board and 31,452 in the SSC Vocational examinations under the Technical Education Board.

"All necessary steps have been taken for holding the exams in a smooth manner and we believe that the forthcoming SSC examinations will be held in a cheating- free environment," Education Minister Osman Faruk told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon warned against cheating in the exams. He said all-out measurers have been taken to contain cheating at the centres.

Teachers will frisk the examinees before entry to the centres and local political leaders, student leaders and members of the school managing committee will

not be allowed to enter the exam centres.

Education Secretary Khandokar Shahidul Islam, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Prof Mohammad Junaid, Acting Chairperson of Dhaka Education Board Shaheda Obaid and chairmen of different boards were, among others, present at the press conference in the conference room of the education ministry.

In reply to a question, the education minister said the government has no plan to bring change in the current grading system.

He said adequate measures have also been taken to prevent question paper leak.