‘A teacher has nicknamed me Exam Milon’

“A teacher gave me the name ‘Porikkha Milon’ (Exam Milon),” remarked Education Minister A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milon, while simultaneously responding to the trolling and criticism directed at him.

The Education Minister made these remarks on Saturday (July 18) during an exchange meeting at the Sadar Upazila Auditorium, following the inauguration of the academic activities at Naogaon University.

The Education Minister said, “Some people make very eloquent posts. A teacher—who holds a doctorate—has dubbed me ‘Pariksha Milan’ [Exam Milan]. Not ‘Minister Milan,’ but ‘Exam Milan.’ Doctor, did you earn your PhD without taking any exams?”

He added, “In today’s developed world, where modern educational methods—such as the
project-based system—are employed, can it really happen without exams? What exactly are they suggesting? We certainly need to improve the quality of education, but without exams? Can certificates be issued without examinations?”

The Education Minister further remarked, “Lately, I observe many distinguished individuals making such misleading comments. Sometimes, I feel compelled to think that given the sheer number of PhDs awarded in Bangladesh, we ought to scrutinize them.”

At this point, she took a dig at PhD degrees by recounting a story about a man who, upon seeing a signboard advertising PhD degrees for $10, paid the fee and obtained a certificate in his own name.

Later, he thought that since it was his horse that enabled him to get there, the horse, too, should receive a PhD. However, the relevant institution informed him that they award PhDs to donkeys, not horses.
He said, “If people seek to incite society by casting aside their individual conscience and rational thought to utter reckless remarks, our young generation will thwart them.”

He further added, “We have come with the responsibility of providing a sound education to this nation. No matter how much anyone trolls, you cannot divert us from our true responsibility.”