Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has given an innovative idea – blocking Facebook – to effectively prevent question leak during public exams.
In the face of widespread reports of question leaks since early this year, the minister even threatened to shut down mobile phone networks.
He thinks blocking Facebook could be an effective step as some yet unidentified groups or individuals have been spreading question papers before almost every exam these days through the popular social media site. Much earlier, question papers were found in exchange for money.
Addressing a meeting at the Secretariat yesterday, Nahid said the BTCL and other authorities concerned were asked to determine how this could be done under the purview of the laws.
“Culprits who leak questions will be punished by the Almighty, Insha Allah, and we will adopt a zero-tolerance policy against those involved in this act. We are looking into complaints that the Primary School Certificate exam questions were found on some Facebook pages,” the minister said.
“It is not right to let the next generation’s future be ruined because of mobile phones. Look into the laws, if needed, we will keep shut mobile phones [network] during exams,” he added.
Nahid said handing out suggestion papers to candidates with the claim of 100% guarantee would be outlawed, and those found guilty would face legal proceedings.
He also said anyone guilty of spreading any wrong information to confuse students would face punishment as well.
Education Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan said surveillance had already been ramped up at BG Press to check question leak.
The Education Ministry formed a 25-member committee headed by its additional secretary (administration and finance) to ensure that public examinations are held without any snag.
Officials of the Public Administration Ministry, BG Press, RAB and police attended the meeting.
The Secondary School Certificate and equivalent exams will begin from February 2 across the country.