ACC chief threatens to prosecute schools promoting students who fail

Concerned over the declining quality of education, Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmood has threatened schools promoting failed students with prosecution.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 July 2016, 04:10 PM
Updated : 24 July 2016, 04:31 PM

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid is happy about the increasing pass rates in public examinations over the past few years, but educationalists have questioned the quality of the education imparted in schools.

A former secretary to the government, Mahmood drew attention to the issue at a discussion on Sunday.

“The quality of education has fallen. Now the situation is, the children clear exams if they simply go to school. They are not given the chance to sit at reading tables,” he said.

“We have spoken to the education ministry about the matter. If any school is found promoting a student who has failed in one subject, we will lodge a case,” he added.

He alleged ‘misuse of power’ in such incidents.

Education Minister Nahid, reacting to criticism over the pass rates, said, “The quality of education has not fallen...please free yourselves of conservative ideas. We want 100 percent pass rates.”

Crimes related to financial irregularities, criminal breach of trust, damage of state property, money laundering and misuse of power are under the ACC’s jurisdiction.

A top ACC official, requesting anonymity, said Mahmood’s comment on education was ‘unique’. “We have heard it for the first time.”

Asked whether the national anti-graft agency had the mandate to look into such irregularities in educational institutions, he said, “It is right that they are not under our jurisdiction, but what the chairman said is not wrong.”

“Many of the educational institutions are involved in corruption with the secondary and higher secondary boards. We can work here,” he said.

The education ministry has also faced criticism over leaks of question papers.

The ACC official said he did not know what Mahmood had discussed with the education ministry.