DHAKA : Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said to eliminate inequality in the country's education system, the HSC examination will be held with uniform question papers in 9 general education boards this year.

Warning that any kind of attempt to leak question papers will be strictly prevented, he said, “If any attempt is made to leak question papers this time, stern action will be taken against those involved so that other offenders get a lesson for lifetime.”

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with the center secretaries of Barishal region on the occasion of the upcoming HSC and equivalent examinations-2026.

The event was organised by the Barishal Education Board at Barisal Shilpakala Academy Auditorium, a ministry press release said.

Chaired by Barishal Divisional Commissioner Khalil Ahmed, the meeting was attended, among others, by Barishal-2 MP Sarfuddin Ahmed, Barishal City Corporation Administrator Advocate Bilkis Akhter Jahan Shirin, Barishal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Mamun Or Rashid, Barishal Education Board Chairman Professor Md Yunus Ali Siddiqui, Technical Education Board Chairman Engineer Md Ruhul Amin and Madrasa Education Board Chairman Professor Khondaker Mohammad Sadequr Rahman. 

In his speech, Milon said: “If the 'O' Level' or 'A' Level' exams can be conducted with the same questions all over the world, why will there be different questions for different boards in our country? Board chairmen used to say earlier that they ask different question papers due to the fear of question leakage. I have said that question paper leakage will not be allowed." 

“We have decided to conduct the HSC examination with uniform question papers to free students from the mentality of GPA discrimination, where questions papers of one board are easy and questions papers of another board are difficult,” he said.

Criticising the pathetic picture of education during the previous government’s tenure and the mass passing rate, the education minister said the policy of the previous government was – don’t study, copy, and get students to pass by giving more marks with the help of the internet. 

“If those who have passed in this way become doctors and go to treat a sick person, they will have to read the books again keeping the patient in front of them. There is no alternative to merit,” he said.

He further said due to the previous government’s policy, teachers were forced to make everyone pass but the incumbent government, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is determined to restore the quality of education. 

Regarding the pending salaries of madrasa teachers for May, the minister expressed his dissatisfaction and said the previous government had appointed 17,000 NTRCA teachers in September and February without any budget allocation. 

“I have released Taka 100 crore from my ministry fund to Janata Bank only, with which one-fourth of the teachers will get their salaries. However, I assure you that by next July, your pending MPO and all pending salaries for May and June will be paid together,” he said.

The heads of secondary, higher secondary, madrasa and technical educational institutions of the Barishal region and examination-related officials were present at the meeting.