Govt Plans ‘One Teacher, One Tab’ and Multimedia Classrooms

The government has adopted a plan to introduce the ‘One Teacher, One Tab’ initiative and multimedia classroom activities to enhance students’ digital capabilities. Education Minister A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan disclosed this at an awareness and stakeholder consultation meeting held at the Barishal Shilpakala Auditorium on Tuesday, 7 April, aimed at ensuring a cheating-free examination system.

Speaking at the meeting organized by the Barishal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, he said that, considering future needs, the education system will be transformed into a digital learning system, with a gradual move toward a paperless and penless education framework. He warned that project directors (PDs) of the Ministry of Education would not be able to evade accountability through manipulation. “We must move toward the ‘One Teacher, One Tab’ policy. We are optimistic that, as the Prime Minister has stated, 5 percent of GDP will be allocated to the education sector in the future,” he added.

He further stated, “In the future, examinations will be conducted across all boards with a unified question paper, ensuring that no student faces discrimination due to varying standards of board-specific questions.”

The minister alleged that the government defeated in the July uprising had misappropriated Tk 7,000 crore from the Teachers’ Welfare Trust and Retirement Benefits Board, depriving teachers of their rightful entitlements.

He also emphasized that students are part of the international community, and without acquiring skills and connectivity with global knowledge and technology, the country and nation would fall behind.

Ehsanul Hoque Milan said that if any educational institution lacks financial capacity, the Ministry will bear the cost of installing closed-circuit cameras. Footage must be preserved throughout the entire duration of MCQ examinations.

Reiterating his commitment, the minister said, “The Ministry of Education is my place of worship; I am working for the advancement of education as an act of continuous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah).” He stressed that Bangladesh’s population must be transformed into human resources to enable global leadership.

Referring again to the alleged misappropriation of Tk 7,000 crore by the ousted government during the July uprising, he noted that although online education began during the COVID-19 period, it did not yield the desired results due to lack of preparation. However, the experience is now being utilized to move forward with renewed initiatives.

The minister reiterated that future examinations across all boards will be conducted with a unified question paper to eliminate disparities. He also reaffirmed that the Ministry will cover the cost of CCTV installation where institutions lack financial capability and that full footage of MCQ examinations must be preserved.

Dr. A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan added that there are plans to introduce a single-question examination system nationwide, which received positive feedback from the teachers present.

Dismissing rumors circulating on social media about a possible postponement of the SSC examinations, the minister stated that the exams will be held as scheduled. “The question papers have already been printed; therefore, there is no scope for postponement,” he said.

He further emphasized that to ensure uniform standards in the education system, examinations will be conducted nationwide with identical question papers. Any negligence in answer script evaluation will not be tolerated, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible for irregularities.

At the meeting, organized to ensure a fair, smooth, and cheating-free environment for SSC and equivalent examinations, the welcome address was delivered by Professor Yunus Ali Siddiqui, Chairman of the Barishal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education. Among the educationists, speeches were delivered by Engineer Md. Ruhul Amin, Chairman of the Bangladesh Technical Education Board, and Professor Mia Md. Nurul Haque, Chairman of the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board.

Chaired by Md. Yunus Ali Siddiqui, the meeting was also addressed by Advocate Md. Mujibur Rahman Sarwar, Member of Parliament from Barishal Sadar constituency; Advocate Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, Administrator of Barishal City Corporation; Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman; DIG Md. Mostafizur Rahman; Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam; Barishal Deputy Commissioner Md. Khairul Alam Sumon; Vice-Chancellor of Barishal University Professor Dr. Md. Taufiq Alam; and Barishal Zila Parishad Administrator Akn Kuddusur Rahman, among others.

DBTech/SH/IH/OR