Education Minister Warns Guidebook Publishers Against Rushing to Print Millions of Copies

Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has warned guidebook publishers against rushing to print millions of copies, saying they could face action as the government moves towards AI-based systems.

“Everything has now become AI-based. Guidebook publishers, be careful. Do not rush to print millions of copies this time. You will be caught this time, I am telling you for sure, you will be caught,” he said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme marking the 34th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Open University on Wednesday (October 28).

Referring to the recent re-evaluation of examination scripts, the minister said, “Nineteen lakh students sat for the examination, and 12 lakh passed. I am saying this legally: those who have questions can apply to have their answer scripts re-examined.”

He said 13 lakh applications had been submitted to re-evaluate answer scripts, while the remaining six lakh candidates had not applied. Otherwise, the answer scripts of all 19 lakh candidates would have had to be reviewed, he added.

“After checking 12 lakh answer scripts, the GPA of 45,000 students changed, not 4,500. Five thousand students who had failed passed, and 370-79 students got A-plus grades. This has opened a Pandora’s box,” the minister said.

He questioned the conduct of examiners and said those found responsible for irregularities would be brought under the law.

“How much injustice the examiners have committed, can you imagine? We will identify the examiners responsible for these irregularities in the scripts and bring them under the law. They will also have to undergo training,” he said.