Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon on Saturday criticised the tendency to distort events and spread fragmented claims on social media without verifying facts, warning that such behaviour could damage the country’s future.
“If the nation becomes blind and blinkered in this way, our future will not be bright,” he said, urging people to abandon negativity in the interest of national progress.
The minister made the remarks as chief guest at a programme marking the launch of academic activities at Naogaon University and a reception for newly admitted students at the Naogaon Sadar Upazila Parishad auditorium.
Earlier in the morning, he unveiled the university’s nameplate at its temporary campus in the Barunkandi intersection area of the town.
Milon also addressed criticism surrounding the ongoing Higher Secondary Certificate examinations and recent social media trolling over one of his remarks.
Responding to concerns over the examinations, he said the government had been in office for only four months and that preparing a new moderation system and question-paper structure required at least two years.
He claimed the HSC examinations were being conducted smoothly, as had been the Secondary School Certificate examinations.
Referring to a viral video clip, the minister said his remarks expressing sympathy for a female City College student who had to sit an examination during heavy rain had been taken out of context and distorted by certain groups.
He said the decision to hold the examination had been based on information from the weather authorities.
Waterlogging was reported only at the Cumilla Women’s College centre, he said, adding that the education board was immediately instructed to delay the examination there by one hour and allow candidates an additional 30 minutes.
Milon claimed genuine examinees had not staged any protest or created disorder, alleging that vested groups had tried to spread confusion.
The minister also pledged to raise Bangladesh’s education system to international standards, saying the government was developing universities capable of attracting students from across the world.
Citing the United Kingdom’s ambitions for its education industry, he said Bangladesh could build an economic opportunity worth $100 billion through the sector.
He said growing investment in education and the government’s initiatives could turn Bangladesh into a global centre of excellence and education hub within the next 10 to 15 years.
Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Hasanat Ali chaired the programme.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, UGC member Professor Abdullah Al Mamun, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam and National University Vice-Chancellor ASM Amanullah attended as special guests.
Representatives of educational institutions, local public representatives and senior government officials were also present.
Naogaon University formally began its academic journey with 80 students, with 40 enrolled in the Department of Accounting and 40 in the Department of Law.
