Draft of law to check question paper leaks put on hold

The education ministry has withdrawn from its website the draft of a law to tackle question paper leaks after much criticism.

In a statement on Tuesday, the education ministry said the draft needed more scrutiny.

The draft, uploaded on the ministry’s website on Oct 20, proposed a maximum of four-year rigorous imprisonment for those involved in leaking question papers.

Educationists and experts have said the punishment was not enough to deter the offenders.

Many said the ‘lenient’ punishment would actually encourage the offenders. 

An education ministry official told bdnews24.com that the decision to withdraw the draft came after the criticism.

The Public Examinations (Offences) Act of 1980 had a maximum 10-year imprisonment for those found guilty of leaking question papers.

But in 1992, the punishment was reduced to four years.

A copy of the law will be published on the ministry’s website after the draft is finalised, the statement on Tuesday said.

The education ministry was expected to finalise the draft after taking opinions from educationists and other stakeholders by Oct 29.

Cries of 'leniency' as govt drafts law with no tougher penalty for question leak