You can sing with your heart, but can not give marks: Education Minister

Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan responsed to questions about the subdued mood surrounding the release of this year’s SSC and equivalent examination results, saying emotions may inspire a song but cannot determine marks in an examination script.

“You can sing with your heart, but you can’t give marks in an examination script,” Milan told reporters at an event organised by the Education Ministry following the release of the SSC and equivalent results Monday (August 10).

A journalist asked why the results announcement had not been as celebratory as expected and suggested that the minister had given a largely diplomatic response.

Responding, Milan said, “You tell me to make it festive... I said you can sing with your heart, but you cannot give marks in an examination script. What more can I say?”

The minister rejected the suggestion that this year’s results were poor, describing them instead as “good.”

He also said students had been awarded the marks they actually earned and highlighted a change in the system for reviewing examination scripts.

Under the previous system, students dissatisfied with their results could seek re-scrutiny, but the process was largely limited to checking whether marks had been added correctly or whether any answer had been overlooked.

According to Milan, the new system will allow applicants to seek full re-examination or re-evaluation of their answer scripts, providing a broader review than the earlier re-scrutiny process.

The minister said any errors identified during the process would be addressed accordingly.