MP goes live at exam centre despite minister's prohibition

Despite the Education Minister's clear prohibition, Member of Parliament for Cumilla-2 constituency, Principal Selim Bhuiyan, entered an SSC exam centre on the first day of the exams and went live on Facebook from the exam hall. The incident has sparked debate over the application of the Public Examination Act.

According to the law, no one other than exam-related personnel is permitted inside an examination hall. However, the legality of a public representative's actions remains unclear. The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has said it is awaiting the Education Minister's decision for clear guidance on the matter.

Prof Dr Khandokar Ehsanul Kabir, chairman of Dhaka Education Board and president of the coordination committee, said the minister had issued clear instructions that no public representative could enter centres with associates or disturb examinees. He has informed the minister of the incident and will discuss further guidelines for upcoming exams.

Cumilla Education Board's exam controller, Runa Nasrin, said an MP may have administrative permission to visit a centre, but examination halls are sensitive areas where confidentiality must be maintained. Livestreaming or such activities are not justifiable under any circumstances.

In the Facebook live video, the MP is seen entering multiple exam halls, asking students whether the question paper was easy, and giving them various instructions through gestures.

On April 12, Education Minister Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon had clearly stated that local MPs would not be allowed to visit exam halls during SSC and HSC exams, nor could they disturb examinees.