Education Minister Expresses Regret Over Remarks About Students

Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon has expressed regret over his earlier remarks about students. He made the statement during the parliamentary session at 7 pm Tuesday.

Addressing Parliament, the minister said many people had objected to his personal remarks. "I did not intentionally say anything to offend anyone. Even so, if anyone has been hurt by my comments, I express my regret," he said. Members of Parliament welcomed his statement by thumping their desks.

Earlier, during a supplementary question, MP Rumeen Farhana asked the education minister why the government did not postpone the HSC examinations by one or two days despite persistent rain and severe waterlogging in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities. She asked what difficulties prevented the government from delaying the examinations under those circumstances.

In response, the education minister said the Ministry of Education had closely monitored the overall situation until 5 pm on the day before the examinations. During that time, the ministry remained in regular contact with the superintendents of police in all 64 districts, divisional commissioners of all eight divisions, chairmen of all education boards, district and upazila administrations, and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. According to the minister, all of them had indicated that weather conditions would improve and that there would be no obstacles to holding the examinations. Based on that information, the government decided to proceed with the exams.

Dr. Ehsanul Haque Milon said authorities discovered the following morning that the grounds of the Cumilla Government Women's College examination center had been flooded. As soon as they learned of the situation, they instructed the mayor, the Fire Service, the police, and the deputy commissioner to take the necessary measures. Authorities later transported examinees by boat to the college's five-story building, where the examination was held.

He said one examinee was allowed to return home and change clothes after her outfit became soaked. The examination at that center began one hour late, and authorities extended the exam by one hour to ensure all examinees received the full allotted time.