Education Minister Tightens Tech-Backed Oversight for SSC Script Evaluation

Following the announcement of introducing a ‘blended’ (online-offline) system in city schools to tackle the energy crisis and reduce traffic congestion, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan has now directed strict caution in the evaluation of SSC and equivalent examination answer scripts. He also noted that the use of CCTV will support monitoring of examination centres in the remote areas of Chattogram.

On 10 April, Friday, joining virtually from his residence in Dhaka, the minister issued these directives while addressing centre secretaries of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Chattogram, along with the relevant Madrasah and Technical Education Boards. He instructed that marks must be awarded only after verifying the correctness of answers, regardless of what is written in the scripts. Under no circumstances should marks be inflated or reduced unfairly.

Chairmen of various education boards, centre secretaries, and relevant officials were present at the virtual meeting. Special guests included Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board Chairman Professor Mia Md. Nurul Haque and Bangladesh Technical Education Board Chairman Engineer Md. Ruhul Amin.

Also speaking at the meeting were Chattogram Education Board Secretary Professor Dr. A K M Samsu Uddin Azad, Controller of Examinations Professor Dr. Md. Parvez Sazzad Chowdhury, and Principal of Chattogram Government College Professor Muhammad Mujahidul Islam Chowdhury.

Describing question paper leakage as a serious crime, Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan warned that strict legal action would be taken against those involved in such offenses. He stated that no incidents of question paper leakage occurred between 2001 and 2006 and affirmed that similar strict prevention measures will be enforced this time as well.

On the issue of teacher safety, he asserted firmly that, as in the past, adequate security will be ensured for teachers, allowing them to perform their duties without fear.

At the Zoom-based meeting, he reiterated the installation of CCTV cameras in every examination room and emphasized the need for backup power through IPS systems to maintain surveillance during power outages. He added that such measures would also help monitor the overall situation in examination centres located in the remote areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts.

As before, the minister reiterated that the government is working toward establishing technology-driven education and paperless classrooms.

He further stated that to regulate the coaching business conducted by teachers, an in-house coaching system will be introduced. Under this system, coaching activities conducted within educational institutions will provide honorariums to teachers. However, strict action will be taken against teachers who engage in coaching outside their institutions.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Education Board Controller of Examinations Md. Parvez Sazzad Chowdhury informed that students from 1,218 institutions across Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and the three hill districts will participate in the examination scheduled to begin on 21 April. This year, a total of 56,325 male students and 74,343 female students will take part in the exams. To ensure smooth conduct, 76 vigilance teams have been formed, including 66 general teams and 10 special teams. Special monitoring measures are also in place for remote centres.

DBTech/SH/EK/OR