Strict action on exam leaks: Minister

Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon warned of tough action against those involved in question paper leaks, saying no one would be spared in ensuring fair examinations across the country on Friday.

He said strict legal measures would be taken against any person or group found linked to such activities, particularly ahead of the upcoming Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, reports BSS.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a virtual meeting with centre secretaries at the auditorium of Chattogram College, focusing on preparations for the SSC examinations.

Highlighting new initiatives, he said authorities plan to centralise the phone numbers of centre secretaries to strengthen monitoring.

He added that the government is working towards conducting SSC examinations nationwide under a single question paper system.

Milon also warned that teachers involved in private coaching outside school premises would face punitive measures.

However, he noted that teachers may be allowed to conduct coaching within institutions with additional remuneration. Underscoring efforts to curb malpractice, the minister said measures such as regular sampling during answer script evaluation would be introduced to prevent cheating.

He further assured that educational institutions recording zero pass rates would not lose their Monthly Pay Order (MPO) status.

Calling for collective efforts, the minister urged all stakeholders to cooperate in improving the quality of education and ensuring a fair examination system free from question leaks and irregularities.

He also mentioned steps to maintain the standard of question papers and to take action against fake suppliers involved in malpractice.

The meeting was chaired by Chattogram Education Board Chairman Abdullah Al Mamun. Among others, its secretary A.K.M. Shamsu Uddin Azad, Controller of Examinations Parvez Sajjad Chowdhury and Mojahidul Islam Chowdhury, principal of Chattogram College, also spoke.