MAILBOX

Punish the leakers

Due to questions being leaked, our educational activities are being disrupted and ruined. For every type of examination—PSC, JSC, SSC, HSC, BCS and even bank recruitment exams—questions are being leaked incessantly but our education ministry has been unable to prevent it.

In the ongoing SSC exams, all questions have been leaked. Before the English second paper exam, the leakers even announced in advance on social media sites. They are leaking questions merely for money but in the process, are harming the country. Greedy teachers and self-serving students and parents are responsible for leaking the questions before examinations.

Last Monday, the education minister's resignation was demanded in Parliament. He consented to resign from his position but the Prime Minister ordered him to deal with the situation. A reward of five lakh taka has been announced for the capture of leakers. Since then, many leakers have been captured but the police have not been able to glean much noteworthy information from them in order to take action against the main ringleaders.

There should be strict surveillance where the questions are printed. After printing, security must be present from there to the examination halls. The teachers who help in leaking the questions should be dismissed from their jobs and brought to book. If the leakers are strictly punished, future offenders will refrain from leaking examination questions.

Naeem Ariyan

University of Chittagong

Smoking in public

This is in reference to a write-up titled "Are we slowly killing our children?" on February 9 in the Star Weekend. The write-up is bold and well-researched on the public health hazard and is a praiseworthy effort in spreading awareness about the effects of smoking on others.

Those frequently in the presence of smokers are susceptible to similar symptoms. Though smoking is banned in public spaces, it is not strictly followed. Smokers puffing away on their cigarettes on the roads bother passers by. If one humbly requests smokers to avoid these public places while smoking, they boast that they have not been caught. Smokers should realise that smoking in public spaces is not their right, instead, it is a bad habit that can be enjoyed in a safe zone or indoors without disturbing others. Common sense should prevail.

Md ZillurRahaman

Bhola