Eight students to sit for exams after education minister's intervention

Eight students of Abdulpur Government College in Lalpur upazila, Natore, who were unable to take their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams that began on Thursday, will now be allowed to sit for the exams following the intervention of Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident, the ministry said in a press release on Friday, July 3.

The students had submitted their form fees but were not allowed to sit for the exams. After the matter was brought to his attention through media reports, the education minister spoke with Rajshahi Education Board Chairman Shamima Ara Chowdhury and instructed her to arrange for the students to take the exams.

It was alleged that the college's office assistant, Amit Kumar Sarkar, had taken the form fees from the students but did not deposit them properly, resulting in the students not receiving their admit cards.

The education minister ordered a swift investigation and strict legal and departmental action against those responsible. He also spoke with the concerned reporter.

Following the minister's directive, the Rajshahi Education Board arranged for the students' forms to be processed on Friday, allowing them to sit for the exams as regular candidates from Saturday.

The students will also receive benefits for Thursday's exam in accordance with board rules.

The minister also spoke with Natore Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque and Lalpur Police Station OC Shafiqul Islam, instructing them to take strict legal action. Amit Kumar Sarkar was subsequently arrested. A case is being processed against him.

The education minister also instructed the Rajshahi Education Board chairman to conduct a full investigation and take swift, strict and exemplary action against those responsible. A three-member probe committee, headed by Associate Professor Abdullah Al Mahmud of the college's Chemistry Department, has been formed.

Additionally, a complaint was received from Sariakandi, Bogura, where a student was unable to take the exam due to an incorrect registration number despite paying the form fee on time. The minister spoke with concerned officials and instructed them to take appropriate action. The student's form has also been processed, and he will be able to take the exam as a regular candidate from Saturday.