‘Exams are Coming — You Will Fail, and After Six Months I Will Also Fail’: Education Minister

Education and Primary & Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has said in a light-hearted yet candid manner: “Exams are coming. You will fail, and after six months I will also fail. No one can escape.”

The minister made the remark on Saturday (11 April) while addressing a programme at Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute.

Instead of a routine speech, the minister listened to the problems and grievances of the students. A student from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Nihal Uddin Sarkar, complained that classes are not held regularly, there is a lack of hands-on machinery for practical learning, lab equipment is outdated, and there is a shortage of skilled teachers.

The minister immediately called the concerned teacher, Mashfikur Rahman, and asked for an explanation. The teacher replied that they are forced to conduct classes and labs in a building constructed in 1963, and due to the lack of necessary machinery, effective teaching is not possible.

Another student, Abu Jar Gifari, alleged that although students in the 8th semester are supposed to be sent for industrial internship, in reality it is not happening properly, and they are not getting opportunities in good industries.

The principal of the polytechnic institute said that in many cases, industries are not interested in taking students for internships. In response, the education minister said there is an agreement between the government and industries, so they must provide opportunities to students. He assured that the matter would be investigated and necessary action would be taken.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to technical education, the minister said that although the Prime Minister is ready to allocate necessary funds for the education sector, proper project planning is essential for effective utilisation. He assured that all problems would be identified and solved step by step.

Senior officials, including the Director General of the Directorate of Technical Education, Abul Khayer Md. Akkas Ali, were present at the event.