DHAKA: Those involved in leaking question papers of any public examinations will be awarded maximum four years of jail.

Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Wednesday also told banglanews that the government has updated the draft of an act that was composed two years ago.

He further said the draft would be finalized taking suggestions from educationists and others concerned.

Section 67 of the draft said he who will be involved with leaking question papers of any public examinations could face jail terms up to four years or will be fined Tk 100,000 or both.

The draft also prohibited publications of any type of notebooks or guidebooks.

Anyone found guilty of breaching the law could face penalty of Tk 200,000 or a six-month in jail or both.

Besides, if any educational institution, including English medium schools, found fixing tuition fees without government approval, could face Tk 500,000 as fine or a one-year jail term or both.

The draft also made registration compulsory to run any pre-primary, primary, English Medium and Ebtadayee Madrasa in the country.

The ministry published the draft act on its website seeking opinions from all quarters.

Anyone interested can give opinions on the draft within October 29 through e-mails -- info@moedu.gov.bd and law_officer@moedu.gov.bd.

However, The Public Examinations (Offences) Act of 1980 had 10-year jail term as the maximum punishment that was lowered to four years in 1992.

BDST: 0858 HRS, OCT 22, 2015
SR