Education Minister Ehsanul Haque Milon has announced that the government will close every coaching center in the country and bring unregistered kindergartens under a formal registration framework.
"100% coaching centers in the country will remain shut down. The government will bring under registration all coaching centers and the kindergartens that have mushroomed across the country. Coaching centers will no longer be allowed to operate in this country," the minister said during an exchange with journalists at Cumilla Circuit House on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the education minister attended a meeting at the Cumilla Shilpakala Academy auditorium as chief guest, where he interacted with center secretaries from the Cumilla Education Board, the Madrasa Education Board, and the Technical Education Board of Cumilla region ahead of SSC and equivalent examinations of 2026.
During the meeting, the minister announced that the installation of CCTV cameras in all educational institutions will be made mandatory. He said the cameras will be used to monitor whether teachers are present in classrooms and conducting lessons on time.
He warned that if cheating is detected at any examination center, the center secretary will be held legally accountable. "Even if cheating materials are found in a washroom of the institution, the head of that institution will have to answer for it," he said.
The minister further cautioned that anyone found assisting in cheating from outside the examination center will also face legal action. "No one will be allowed to cheat, and no one will be allowed to facilitate cheating," he stated firmly.
Terming the Ministry of Education a "place of worship" he declared that no form of corruption or dishonesty can be tolerated.
Addressing teachers, he emphasized that sincere efforts in educating students would be considered a form of "Sadaqah Jariyah" (ongoing charity).
The minister urged all stakeholders to treat education as a sacred responsibility and maintain integrity in the system.
Expressing confidence in teachers, the minister said they have always been protected and will continue to receive support in the future.
He, however, warned that any irregularities in the education sector would not be tolerated.
Dr Milon also noted that financial assistance had been provided in the past to teachers injured while performing their duties.
"Education is not like other sectors; it is the main driver of nation-building. There is no alternative to responsibility here," he added, reiterating the government's firm position against cheating in examinations.
He further mentioned that in the past, decisions were made not to immediately penalize institutions even if their pass rate dropped to zero, allowing them an opportunity to improve.
The meeting was attended by center secretaries from the Cumilla Education Board, Madrasa Education Board, and Technical Education Board, among others.
Speakers at the event underscored the importance of collective efforts to ensure that the SSC and equivalent examinations are conducted smoothly, transparently, and without malpractice.
PT/ra
