Milon announces CCTV, body cameras for strict monitoring of HSC exams

Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today (28 June) announced that all examination centres for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will be placed under continuous CCTV surveillance, while police personnel on duty will use body cameras to prevent the entry of unauthorised persons.

"We'll use body cameras for police personnel to prevent the intrusion of outsiders. Examination centres will be monitored round the clock through CCTV," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing a meeting with the officers-in-charge of the HSC and equivalent examination centres under the Sylhet Education Board and the madrasa and technical education boards in the Sylhet region. 

The meeting was held at the Jalalabad Gas Building Auditorium in Sylhet.

To ensure examination's security, examination authorities, education officials and law enforcement agencies will work together with close coordination, he added.

He said improving the quality of education remains one of the highest priorities of the government, adding that the prime minister has placed special emphasis on the education sector. Those involved in spreading the rumours about question paper leaks, disseminating false information or engaging in misinformation campaigns would face legal action under the Cyber Security Act, he added.

The government is working to ensure a transparent, technology-driven and malpractice-free examination system, he added. 

According to the minister, all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure that this year's HSC and equivalent examinations are conducted in a peaceful, transparent and fair manner.

He said the examinations would be conducted under strict supervision through the use of modern technology and legal measures.

He said measures have also been introduced to maintain uniform marking standards, review model answer scripts, evaluate examiners' performance and reduce the burden of assessing excessive numbers of answer scripts.

Education boards should expand their responsibilities beyond conducting examinations and publishing results by playing a more effective role in supervising educational institutions, improving educational standards and addressing the problems faced by the teachers and the students, he said. 

Referring to primary education, the minister also in charge of the primary and mass education ministry, said the government has taken effective steps to resolve the long-standing shortage of personnel and complications related to promotions. Around 25,500 head teachers have remained without promotion since 2017 due to pending court cases, which will be resolved in accordance with court verdicts.

There are currently about 60,000 vacant teaching positions across the country, and the government plans to begin recruiting new teachers from July, he said, adding that salary-related complications involving madrasa teachers will also be resolved promptly, with salaries to be paid regularly through bank accounts. 

"More than 30,000 pending court cases involving the Ministry of Education will also be settled in phases," he added. 

The meeting was chaired by Prof Anwar Hossain Chowdhury, Chairman of Sylhet Education Board. Among others, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, BNP Central Assistant Organising Secretary Miftah Siddiqui, Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Emdad Hossain Chowdhury, Board Secretary Chowdhury Mamun Akbar and Controller of Examinations Prof Bilkis Yasmin, were present at the function as special guests.

Sunamganj Zila Parishad Administrator Md Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional Deputy Commissioner Masud Rana, officials from various government departments, examination centre heads from the Sylhet region and members of the media were also present.