My week has 8 days, and I’m ready to work 24 hours: Education Minister

Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haq Milon, MP from Chandpur-1, holds the portfolios of Primary and Mass Education and Secondary and Higher Education in the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. During his tenure as State Minister for Education in Khaleda Zia’s 2001–2006 government, he became widely known for his aggressive crackdown on cheating, question leaks, and irregularities.

Helicopter raids on exam centres, arrests of cheaters, and strict action against teachers and officials earned him nicknames like “Yama of Cheating” and “Master of Stopping Cheating.” His measures significantly lowered pass rates in public exams at the time.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Campus, the Education Minister shared his views on challenges in the education sector, his work plan, and a message for students. The interview was conducted by senior reporter Md. Shihab Uddin. Key excerpts:

The Daily Campus: What do you see as the biggest challenge in the education sector right now?

Dr. Ehsanul Haq Milon: The education sector faces multidimensional challenges. The top priority is implementing our election manifesto. The SSC exams starting on 21 April are a major challenge. Beyond that, curriculum implementation, filling head teacher posts in primary schools, and reducing administrative bottlenecks are all pressing issues. We are working daily and addressing each challenge one by one.

The Daily Campus: The two ministries are now merged under one minister. How do you view this change?

Dr. Milon: Earlier, separate ministries often stalled policy initiatives. Now, with both under one umbrella, coordinated work has become much easier. We have set a 72-hour deadline for file disposal. If the minister is unavailable, the state minister can decide. This speeds up decision-making significantly.

The Daily Campus: The 2010 National Education Policy is quite old. Will you revise it?

Dr. Milon: Instead of “change,” we should focus on review, update, and upgrade — aligning it with international standards through reform.

The Daily Campus: Do students today have any shortcomings?

Dr. Milon: There are no shortcomings in our students. The gaps lie with the ministry and guardians. We failed to guide them properly. Our students are very smart — they have already changed everything. Their brains are open to learning anything. The deficiency is in those of us who lead and direct.

The Daily Campus: There is a huge gap in results between rural and urban students, especially in math and English. What’s the reason?

Dr. Milon: In urban areas, parents monitor students more closely. In rural areas, supervision is weaker, and state oversight was also lax. The previous government did not prioritize education. That’s why rural results suffered.

The Daily Campus: What’s your view on private universities starting PhD programs?

Dr. Milon: A PhD must be verifiable. Many PhDs in the country lack proper academic or institutional grounding. We need to verify whether the awarding university is recognized and approved by the relevant country’s education ministry. If necessary, we will form a committee to review and list valid PhDs. Unless we stop the misuse of the PhD title, higher education quality will suffer.

The Daily Campus: What is your work plan for the next year amid so many challenges?

Dr. Milon: Dedication, honesty, and non-stop work — these are my strengths. My week has 8 days, my year has 360 days, and I am ready to work 24 hours. I will overcome the challenges through work.

The Daily Campus: What is your message to students?

Dr. Milon: There is no room for shortcuts in life. You have to fight your own battles. Return to studies, give time to learning. Prioritize moral education, ideals, and religious values.

The Daily Campus: Anything you haven’t said yet?

Dr. Milon: I want to hear what everyone has to say. I want to work on those issues after listening.

The Daily Campus: Thank you for your time.

Dr. Milon: Thank you to The Daily Campus as well.