We have no ability to shut Facebook: Edu' Minister

Senior Correspondent: Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has said we have no ability to shut Facebook. But we are trying to block the means through which it is being operated for a certain period.

"We have already discussed the matter with Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman and its officials in this regard. We told them our problems. They positively assured to help us," he added.

The minister also said strict measures have been taken to prevent cheating in the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and other equivalent examinations.

"I want all out cooperation of all including students, teachers and guardians to hold the examinations in a peaceful environment... Stern actions will be taken if anyone tries to leak question papers of the exams," he said at a press briefing at the conference room of his ministry on Wednesday.

The examinations of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), Dakhil and Secondary School Certificate (vocational) under the country's 10 education boards will begin across the country on Thursday.

The minister said, "We hope that the examinations will be held in a festive mood...We have already completed all preparations to hold the examinations in a peaceful environment." 

Nahid urged the political parties not to declare any programme during the exams.

This year, a total of 20,31,899 students, including 10,23,212 boys and 10,08,687 girls, are set to sit for the examinations from 28,551 educational institutions.

In 2017, a total of 17,86,613 students - 9,10,501 boys and 8,76,112 girls - took part in the examinations.

The examinations will be held from 10 am at 3,412 centres across the country. Of them, 1964 centers for SSC examinees, 707 centers for Dakhil examinees and 741 centers for vocational examinees.

The written examinations will end on February 24 while the practical ones will begin on February 26 and end on March 4.

Technical and Madrasha Education Division Secretary Md Alamgir and senior officials of the ministry were present at the press briefing.

risingbd/Dhaka/January 31, 2018/Naymuddin/A K Azad