Digital Monitoring Drive: Data-Driven Education Overhaul Gains Ground

The government is placing maximum emphasis on digital monitoring and the development of technological infrastructure to bring about a fundamental transformation in the education system and ensure quality education.

This plan was outlined by Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan at an exchange meeting held on Wednesday, 15 April, organized by the Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education at the auditorium of Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited in Sylhet. He stated that modern ‘Multipurpose Exam Halls’ equipped with advanced facilities will be constructed in every upazila to improve public examinations and classroom teaching. At the same time, plans have been taken to introduce solar power systems in educational institutions to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, the Education Minister noted that the nature of cheating in examinations has evolved, much like the variants of coronavirus, making the use of technology essential to combat it. He said that CCTV cameras have already been installed in every school, enabling local public representatives to directly monitor classroom teaching.

He also highlighted the possibility of launching a specialized school under Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and emphasized prioritizing technical education institutions.

Assuring an additional 5 percent allocation of GDP to the education sector, Dr. A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milan said that to address the shortage of teachers, along with rapid recruitment, Members of Parliament may consider reappointing experienced retired teachers and meeting shortages through outsourcing. He added that including former teachers in managing committees would help restore momentum in educational management. Urging teachers to enhance their teaching capabilities and be more sincere in script evaluation, he said that teachers are the primary driving force behind quality education.

Expressing concern over ‘digital cheating’ in examinations, the minister said that students resort to cheating when proper teaching is lacking or when there is a deficiency in quality education. Previously, cheating occurred at an individual level, but now, in some cases, there are allegations of institutional involvement. Considering this reality, the definition of ‘cheating’ is being redefined to bring all related parties under legal accountability.

He said that to ensure transparency in examinations, CCTV cameras are being installed across the country in phases. This will not only enable monitoring of activities inside examination centers but also contribute to overall quality control in education.

At the meeting, the minister acknowledged issues related to the Teachers’ Welfare Trust and retirement benefits, stating that during the tenure of the previous government, those responsible had embezzled Tk 7,000 crore, which has created some constraints in the current budget.

Also present at the meeting were Adviser on Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury; Member of Parliament Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury; Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet Sarwar Alam; Vice-Chancellor of SUST Prof. Dr. A M Sarwaruddin Chowdhury; Acting President of Sylhet Metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Qayes Lodi; General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, among others.

DBTech/SH/MUIM/OR