MP Faces Backlash Over Prohibited Live Stream Inside Examination Hall

The integrity of the SSC (Secondary School Certificate) examinations in Bangladesh has come under intense scrutiny following an alleged breach of protocol by a high-ranking official. Despite explicit directives from the Ministry of Education, Selim Bhuiyan, the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Cumilla-2 (Homna-Titas) constituency, reportedly entered an examination centre and conducted a live broadcast on social media, sparking a nationwide debate regarding the enforcement of public examination laws.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the Homna Government High School centre. According to witnesses and digital evidence, the MP initiated a live stream on his personal Facebook profile at approximately 10:10 AM, just as students were immersed in their papers. The broadcast, which lasted roughly nine minutes, depicted the lawmaker traversing the corridors and entering multiple classrooms, directly interacting with candidates.

Violation of Educational Directives and Legislation

Under the Public Examinations (Offences) Act, 1980, entry into an examination hall is strictly restricted to authorised personnel, such as invigilators and centre secretaries. The actions of the MP appear to stand in direct defiance of a recent mandate issued by the Education Minister, Dr A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milan.

On 12 April, during a consultation with centre secretaries in Dhaka, the Minister explicitly stated that local MPs were prohibited from visiting examination halls with entourages or engaging in activities that could distract students. “There is no scope for local MPs to visit halls with companions. Candidates must not be disturbed,” the Minister had warned, placing the onus of enforcement on centre secretaries.

Key Details of the Alleged Breach

Official Responses and Regulatory Concerns

The Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has expressed grave concern over the incident. Professor Dr Khandakar Ehsanul Kabir, Chairman of the Dhaka Education Board, confirmed that the matter has been formally reported to the Ministry.

“The Education Minister’s instructions were crystal clear: no representative should enter a centre with a following or cause any disturbance to the candidates. I have already apprised the Minister of the situation and am awaiting further directives to ensure such breaches do not recur during subsequent examinations,” stated Professor Kabir.

In Cumilla, the regional authorities appeared caught off-guard. Runa Nathrin, the Controller of Examinations for the Cumilla Education Board, noted that while administrative meetings sometimes suggest that public representatives may visit centres for general oversight, the sanctity of the actual examination room is “highly sensitive” and demands absolute privacy. She emphasised that live broadcasting or any form of digital recording within these premises is entirely “unjustifiable.”

The “Safe Haven” of the Examination Hall

The viral video shows MP Selim Bhuiyan approaching students’ desks and asking if the questions were “easy,” while gesturing and providing unsolicited guidance. Critics argue that such interruptions—even if well-intentioned—shatter the concentration required for high-stakes testing and create an environment of intimidation or favouritism.

The MP has remained unavailable for comment despite multiple attempts to reach him via his mobile phone. As the 2026 examination season continues, the Ministry’s handling of this case will serve as a litmus test for whether political influence can override the established legal protections afforded to the nation’s students. For now, the academic community remains expectant, looking to the Education Minister to restore the “quietude and confidentiality” of the examination hall.