AI-Powered Monitoring Slashes SSC Exam Malpractice by 78 Percent
Two decades ago, then State Minister for Education Ehsanul Haque Milon made headlines by conducting surprise anti-cheating operations using helicopters to curb examination malpractice across the country. Twenty years later, now serving as the country's Education Minister, he has adopted a very different strategy—one driven by technology rather than physical inspections.
Instead of helicopter raids, authorities have deployed an extensive digital monitoring system that combines CCTV surveillance, live-streamed examination halls, artificial intelligence tools, and mobile-based oversight. The initiative has enabled unprecedented monitoring of 3,885 examination centers nationwide.
As a result, incidents of cheating and other unfair practices in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations have reportedly fallen by a record 78 percent within a single year.
Nationwide Digital Surveillance Network
According to sources, live feeds from CCTV cameras installed at every examination center, along with secure access credentials, were directly connected to a central control room operated by the Ministry of Education. Officials monitored examination activities continuously through a dedicated mobile application.
The impact of this enhanced digital oversight is reflected in official statistics compiled by the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee.
Sharp Decline in Expulsions
Data from the Dhaka Education Board show that during the 2020 SSC examinations, conducted under normal conditions, a record 1,155 candidates were expelled for engaging in unfair means.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, examination formats were modified, causing fluctuations in disciplinary statistics. However, when examinations fully returned to their regular format in 2023, the number of expelled candidates rose again to 796.
Subsequent figures showed:
- 2024: 747 candidates expelled
- 2025: 721 candidates expelled
- 2026: 208 candidates expelled
The reduction from 721 expulsions in 2025 to just 208 in 2026 represents a decline of approximately 78 percent, making it one of the most significant improvements in recent years.
Months of Preparation Behind the Initiative
Officials from the Ministry of Education said the technological transformation was the result of extensive preparation. Coordination meetings involving education administrators, examination authorities, and law enforcement agencies were held for two months before the examinations began.
Specialized cyber units also worked to prevent question paper leaks and enforce a complete ban on mobile phones and electronic devices inside examination centers.
Experts Highlight Psychological Impact
Education experts and criminologists believe that the invisible yet highly effective nature of digital monitoring has created a strong psychological deterrent against malpractice.
According to analysts, unlike traditional enforcement drives, continuous technological surveillance encourages students to rely on their own preparation and abilities, helping create a fairer and more transparent examination environment.
They argue that the success of this model could serve as a foundation for a more credible, technology-driven examination system aligned with international standards.
Over 1.85 Million Candidates Participated
The nationwide public examinations began simultaneously on April 21, with a total of 1,857,344 students participating.
Education officials noted that this year's examination management achieved an unprecedented level of control without relying on visible enforcement campaigns, demonstrating how modern information technology can strengthen transparency and integrity in the education sector.
DBTech/SM/EK/OR
