Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Iqbal Mahmood has called coaching centres ‘dens of corruption’ and called for their ‘permanent shutdown’.
Mahmood’s remarks come soon after Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said coaching centres were ‘unlawful’.
The ACC chief spoke on Saturday at a rally and cultural programme organised by the Satata Sangha, an association formed by ACC’s Corruption Resistance Committee at educational institutions across Bangladesh.
“Recently the education minister said that all coaching centres are illegal,” said Mahmood. “We want to add that they are not only illegal, but dens of corruption. We plead with the government, students, teachers, guardians and everyone else to take the initiative to close these corrupt coaching centres.”
It will take a coordinated effort to eliminate question paper leaks and the coaching business, Mahmood said.
“We must all work together to stop question leaks and close the coaching business forever. We cannot let our children just wander from coaching centre to coaching centre every day.”
“You are the most important element in the growth of our nation,” he told the media. “The ACC will stand by you in order to ensure your benefits, your social standing, your wage growth and other developments. Make it so that our children are educated in classrooms and no longer have to go to coaching centres.”
Education Minister Nahid had recently expressed his dismay that his ministry did not have the power to shut coaching centres, although a High Court decision made them unlawful.
The government has said it will close all coaching centres from Mar 29 ahead of the HSC exams.
This year’s HSC theory exams are to be held from Apr 2 to May 13. The practical exams are to be held from May 14 to May 23.
Mahmood called on the government to raise the ‘wages and stature’ of teachers.
“We believe it is better to acquire a full and proper education instead of chasing A+ grades.”
“You [students] will become the country’s most skilled, capable and invaluable human resources,” he said.
Mahmood also called on the government to ensure technical and vocational education in all upazilas.
The ACC chairman claimed the shuttering of the coaching centres will reduce corruption and speed up the country’s development.
