Bangladesh interim government on Wednesday cancelled a recent order that instructed district education officers to remain alert to anti-government and anti-state activities by any educational institutions or students in the face of criticism from various quarters.
The order was cancelled after education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud on the day said that he was not aware of issuance of the order.
He said this at a views exchange meeting with the members of Education Reporters Association, Bangladesh at the Planning Commission.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education on January 2 issued an office order in this regard addressing all district education officers.
This order drew criticism from different quarters who expressed concerns on social media.
On Wednesday after the adviser made the comment in the evening the directorate cancelled the order issuing another order.
The order issued on January 2 read that a decision was taken at a monthly coordination meeting attended by the departments and agencies of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the education ministry.
Under the decision, the district education officers have been instructed to remain alert and active to keep students away from getting involved in any provocative activities against the present government and the state, being instigated by any propaganda and rumour.
If any educational institutions or students are found involved in activities against the government and the state, the district education officers concerned are instructed to inform their higher authorities so that they can take action against them, the order, marked 鈥榲ery urgent鈥� further reads.
On Wednesday, the adviser also told reporters that no education reform commission would be formed now.
He said that they were now busy with work to improve the quality of education from the primary to the tertiary levels.
