Exam Blunder Sparks Nationwide Protests, Teachers Face Inquiry Over Physics Paper Errors
A significant error in a recent national examination has ignited widespread student protests across Bangladesh. Two questions in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Physics (Theory) First Paper, held on July 13, were found to be incorrect. This mistake caused considerable distress for thousands of students.
Following the examination, candidates voiced complaints about the paper’s unusual difficulty and the errors. These grievances escalated into public demonstrations. Throughout Monday and Tuesday, students blocked roads and staged protests in Dhaka and several other districts.
The protesting students made a series of demands, including a retake of the examination and the resignation of the education minister. Their strong reaction highlighted the impact of the errors on their academic futures.
The government quickly acknowledged the issues. On Tuesday afternoon, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon confirmed in Parliament that questions number 6 and 7 of the Physics paper contained mistakes. He assured students that they would receive full marks for these two incorrect questions.
In response to the serious lapse, the Ministry of Education announced disciplinary action. Professor Bilkis Yasmin, the Controller of Examinations for the Sylhet Education Board, issued show-cause notices to four teachers. These individuals were responsible for moderating the flawed question paper.
All four teachers are affiliated with the Sylhet Education Board. They are Professor Md Mujibur Rahman from Sreemangal Government College, Assistant Professor Kazi Junayed Al Amin from Brindaban Government College, Assistant Professor Mosaddek Hossain Khan from MC College, and Lecturer Mohammad Helal Uddin from Sylhet Government Model School and College.
The Ministry of Education stated that allowing such errors into a major exam paper amounted to gross irresponsibility and professional negligence. The ministry added that this incident has harmed the reputation of the Sylhet Education Board.
The teachers have been given three working days to provide written explanations for their actions. They must state why departmental action should not be taken against them for the serious inconsistencies found during the moderation process.
This year, the HSC examinations are being conducted using a common question paper for all nine general education boards across the country, making the error a nationwide concern.
