Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said the government will not be distracted by trolling or criticism, insisting that its priority remains improving the quality of education across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of academic activities at Naogaon University on Saturday, he said recent online criticism surrounding the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination would not divert the government from its responsibilities.
"Those who trolled me are not examinees. We did not see students from institutions like City College, Ideal College or Viqarunnisa taking part in the movement. A group of people tried to create havoc by misleading others," he said.
"Whatever the trolling or criticism, no one will be able to divert us from our responsibilities."
Earlier in the day, the minister unveiled the nameplate of the university's temporary campus in the Barunkandi area of Naogaon town.
Referring to his previous tenure as state minister for education during the 2001–2006 BNP-led government, Milon said he had served under former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia and is now serving under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
"How can anyone think I would be instructed to tolerate wrongdoing? Certainly not. Everyone should remain committed to their duties. We must continue education and improve its quality," he said.
Explaining the recent decision to delay the HSC examination by one hour in Cumilla because of severe waterlogging, the minister said the measure had been taken on humanitarian grounds to protect the interests of examinees.
He also called on the media to act responsibly in preventing the spread of rumours about question paper leaks and criticised misleading campaigns on social media targeting the examination system.
"Without examinations, it is not possible to properly assess merit or award certificates," he said.
Highlighting the launch of Naogaon University, Milon described it as a new opportunity for higher education in the region. He said academic activities had begun with 80 students and that the government would take steps to move the university to its permanent campus as soon as possible.
He also stressed the need to establish an international-standard School of Agriculture at the university to meet local demand.
The ceremony was chaired by Naogaon University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Hasanath Ali. Among those present were Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof Dr Mamun Ahmed, UGC member Prof Dr Abdullah Al Mamun, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Faridul Islam, National University Vice-Chancellor Dr ASM Amanullah, Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education Director Prof Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, lawmakers from the Naogaon-2, Naogaon-3, Naogaon-4, Naogaon-5 and Naogaon-6 constituencies, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam.
Naogaon University was established in 2023. In December 2025, the University Grants Commission approved the opening of two departments—Law and Accounting and Information Systems. Admissions for the 2025–26 academic session have already been completed, and academic activities officially began with Saturday's inauguration.
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