Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Saturday said the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy to prevent question leaks and cheating in the upcoming SSC and equivalent examinations.
The minister said strict monitoring will be ensured at the field level to protect the sanctity of the examinations scheduled to begin on April 21.
He made the remarks at a post-iftar meeting with members of the Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh (ERAB) at his official residence on Mintu Road in the capital.
The minister said SSC examinations will begin simultaneously across the country from April 21.
“Ensuring a cheating-free examination environment is a big challenge for me. We succeeded in the past and we will continue that trend this time as well,” he said.
He warned that those who attempt to leak question papers using information technology will face strict action.
“I will personally visit the field level to supervise the overall security of the examinations,” he added.
Hinting at a plan to introduce a unified question system across the country instead of separate question papers, the minister said all students should face the same standard.
“If major competitive exams around the world can be held with identical questions, it is also possible in our country. We are considering how this system can be introduced from next year,” he said.
Describing the ministry as his “place of devotion”, the minister said he aims to create a foundation through a 180-day work plan that could have an impact equivalent to 180 years.
He also said the government plans to introduce a three-tier screening process involving Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), deputy commissioners and education boards to ensure transparency and set educational qualifications for presidents of managing committees of educational institutions.
Responding to debate over the requirement of 18 years of experience for appointments, the minister said the decision was taken to give opportunities to teachers who had been deprived due to political reasons over the past 15–17 years.
He also identified the revision of the new national curriculum and textbooks for 2027 as one of his key priorities.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the pace of work at the ministry, the minister said officials must move beyond traditional approaches and complete tasks quickly and efficiently.
“Officials are here to work for the development of education, not to pursue personal interests,” he said.
ERAB President Faruk Hossain, General Secretary Solaiman Salman, Vice President Shahed Matiur Rahman, Joint Secretary Asif Hasan Kajol, Treasurer Najiur Rahman Sohel and other members of the association and journalists from different media outlets were present at the event.