Digital cheating in exams to face 5 years' jail, fines: Education Minister

Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has said the government has taken various initiatives to make the education system modern and employment-oriented. The focus is on technical and vocational education to develop skilled human resources, rather than increasing unemployment by expanding higher education alone.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a 'Leaders Training Seminar' organised by Rotary Bangladesh at the Krishi Bidda Institution auditorium in the capital on Friday morning, June 19.

The government is taking a tough stance against irregularities and technology-based fraud in public examinations, the education minister said. Digital cheating has been incorporated into the Public Examination Act. Offences such as hacking or illegally altering examination results, merit lists or related information will carry a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and fines.

The education minister said everyone cannot be made highly educated to create a factory of unemployment. Technical and vocational education is being further expanded considering the country's development and employment needs.

He informed that there is a plan to make technical education compulsory in textbooks from Class VI onwards.

He further said that one of the objectives of the education system is to create capable citizens who can lead in the current world. The government is working to improve the quality of education and expand skill-based education.

No opportunity will be given to harm the education system through misuse of technology, he said. The legal framework is being further strengthened to ensure a transparent and accountable examination system.