The SSC and its equivalent examinations began on February 1 where around 20 lakh 32 thousand students are taking part. This year, the question paper leakage is rampant and the students are collecting the question papers through their smart phones using different social media networks. To stop the ill practice, the Education Ministry decided to shut down coaching centres and issued directives to the students to come their respective centres half an hour earlier without any mobile phone. It also announced Tk 5 lakh reward to catch the culprits. But these measures did not bring any result. Even the snapping of internet connections also went in vain.
The question paper leakages have also spread in the rural villages nowadays. According to police, the leakage occurred through laptops and smart phones when the question papers are taken to halls from examination centres. So it is clear that leakage is not possible without the help of teachers and officials concerned.
We are surprised why the Education Ministry is passing days in a relaxed mood when question paper leakage has gone out of control. The Education Minister announced plans to cancel the examination of the relevant subjects, if the question papers were leaked. But we so far did not get any message of cancelling the examination. It remains highly mysterious why the Ministry is not taking stringent measures to make the process of preparing and distributing question papers foolproof. The Ministry had formed a committee to look into the allegations of question paper leakage. But strangely, it still did not start working as the committee head has as of yet not got official orders.
We are shocked at seeing the Ministry’s irresponsibility in this regard where fates of over two million students are involved. It will not bring any fruitful result by expelling the students. It becomes essential to expel the Minister.
