If teachers united in their resolve, they could reshape the face of education into something more engaging, principled, and truly meaningful. While literacy rates in our country may be satisfactory, the number of ethically grounded individuals remains disappointingly low. Corruption during exams, flawed grading practices, and the politicization of education for partisan agendas continue to obstruct the path to quality education.
The state’s obsession with a 100% pass rate has resulted in alarming consequences. Classroom attendance is minimal, teachers’ salaries are at stake if students fail, and the mindset that passing by any means is acceptable has turned the educational system into chaos.
As the SSC (Secondary School Certificate) exams are underway, early observations from journalists and monitors suggest an unusually orderly examination environment. The Bengali exam, for instance, was largely fair, and students could apply creativity even if the questions were a bit off-topic. After all, literature allows imagination. Even if that creativity ends up as a paper cone in a peanut seller’s hand, it still serves a purpose—livelihood, if not legacy.
The trouble began on English exam day. English remains a consistent stumbling block for many students in South Asia. In their desperation to help, a few teachers—claiming to act out of love for students—resorted to writing answers, making corrections, or even tearing pages from textbooks inside the exam hall.
However, this attempt to “stand by” the students was rightly challenged by journalists and education officials. Unlike those teachers, the media and administration had no personal attachment to the students—they hadn’t bonded in classrooms, and thus felt no emotional obligation. The result? Dismissals and fines. Ironically, these same teachers may one day be insulted by the very students they tried to help unethically. Why? That’s a matter for another day.
When failing students results in pay cuts, or when schools compete with each other for reputation based on pass rates, unethical shortcuts begin to seem justifiable. But justifying something doesn’t make it right. One can make a thousand arguments for why even filth is useful—but the difference between logic and twisted reasoning is something some educators seem to have forgotten.
If a person wears the title of “teacher,” aiding in cheating, giving out answers in the exam hall, or manipulating grades is disgraceful. The role of journalists and administration is to observe and uphold order—not to shield wrongdoing. When they uncover academic fraud and bring it to public attention, it is not an act of betrayal but one of responsibility. Dishonest teachers should feel ashamed and step back from the profession.
A teacher aiding injustice is a hypocrite—and no other figure misleads society more. If one’s intent is not to uphold the honour of the profession, it is better to find a different job. There are many other roles in society that don’t require as much integrity, where unethical desires might not clash with professional duty.
Whether someone chooses teaching by passion or ends up in it by chance, they must purify themselves before stepping into a classroom, an exam hall, or public life. Teachers should be lifelong warriors against social injustices, corruption, and all forms of misconduct.
When students try to peek at others’ answers, I don’t personally blame them—they’re young and learning. But the teacher’s job is to act as a guardian, to prevent this, not to participate in it. Fair grading is not just a moral duty—it is directly tied to halal income, a concept dear to many immigrant communities in Canada as well.
The destiny of society rests on the honesty, ethics, and responsibility of our educators. Thankfully, most teachers are good people. The problem lies in the fact that the entire teaching profession is seen as a noble one—so when a few missteps occur, even small stains are visible from afar.
Across thousands of exam centers in Bangladesh, only a few incidents may occur, but their impact is far-reaching. Teachers must remain honest. If one cannot uphold the responsibilities of a teacher, it is better to step down than to compromise the entire profession.
Dear teachers, please be sincere. You play an irreplaceable role in shaping society, identifying gaps, and fixing flaws. If you fall into corruption, how can we hope for a better country?
We need a generation that’s not just educated but ethically educated. Not everyone needs a degree—let some become ethical farmers, some honest businesspeople. Let the hardworking and curious students earn their success. Teachers whispering answers, writing papers, or inflating marks—that doesn’t align with the dignity of the profession.
There’s a societal expectation of teachers. Yes, they face many limitations and unmet demands, particularly in underfunded education systems both in South Asia and even within some marginalized communities in Canada. Yet, teaching remains a sacred calling. Every step a teacher takes is measured against social expectations. When those who shape future generations lose their ethical compass, the result is catastrophic.
Let us correct our course. Let the state address the barriers that prevent bright minds from entering teaching. The long-awaited education reform commission should no longer be delayed. May teachers reform themselves so they can, in turn, reform society. Even if the pass rate drops, let the foundations of the nation grow stronger. Let our institutions produce not just graduates—but citizens of integrity. Only ethical and capable educators can truly be the producers of a nation’s hopes and dreams.
