Few names are as closely associated with education reform in Bangladesh as Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. The newly elected Member of Parliament for Chandpur-1 (Kachua), he has now assumed office as Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education, marking a significant return to a portfolio where he previously left a lasting imprint.
In the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, Dr Milon secured a commanding victory over the candidate of an 11-party alliance. His campaign style was notably distinct from conventional electoral strategies. Rather than relying solely on large rallies, he prioritised direct engagement, holding community meetings and interactive sessions that drew men, women and young people in remarkable numbers across Kachua. His measured rhetoric and approachable demeanour reportedly resonated across social and economic divides.
Yet Dr Milon’s reputation extends far beyond electoral politics. He is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of efforts to cleanse Bangladesh’s public examination system of malpractice. At a time when organised cheating had become a systemic concern, he introduced and rigorously enforced a “zero tolerance” policy. He personally visited examination centres, signalling that malpractice would not be overlooked. Those years saw a perceptible restoration of public confidence in the integrity of national examinations.
Academic and Professional Background
Dr Milon’s educational journey reflects both national and international exposure. He completed his secondary education at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Boys’ High School in Dhaka and his higher secondary studies at Government Science College (formerly Intermediate Technical College). He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka, where he served as Vice-President of Fazlul Huq Hall Students’ Union.
In 1982, he travelled to the United States for higher studies, obtaining an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. During his time abroad, he taught at Brooklyn College and the Borough of Manhattan Community College. In 2018, he completed a PhD in Political Science at the International Islamic University Malaysia, focusing on technical and vocational education and its role in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development—an area that has since shaped his policy priorities.
Key Contributions During Previous Tenure (2001–2006)
| Initiative | Objective | Reported Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Zero tolerance on cheating | Restore exam integrity | Marked decline in organised malpractice |
| Expansion of technical education | Promote employability | Increased enrolment in vocational streams |
| School infrastructure development | Improve learning environment | New buildings and modern laboratories nationwide |
| Female stipends and anti-dropout measures | Enhance gender parity | Higher retention rates for girls |
During his earlier tenure as State Minister for Education (2001–2006), Dr Milon championed modernisation and digitisation in the sector. He consistently argued that academic success should not be measured solely by high GPA scores, but by tangible learning outcomes and practical competence. He also warned against the misuse of “creative methods” in assessment, insisting that innovation must be accompanied by rigour and clarity.
Today, Bangladesh’s education system faces renewed scrutiny over curriculum reforms, assessment frameworks and allegations of question paper leaks. Many observers believe that Dr Milon’s blend of administrative experience, academic scholarship and international exposure uniquely positions him to address these challenges. He has spoken repeatedly against the commercialisation of education, emphasising that effective teaching must take place within the classroom rather than being outsourced to private coaching.
From a grassroots leader in Kachua to a nationally recognised reformer, Dr A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon’s trajectory underscores a career shaped by both political resilience and policy ambition. As he resumes stewardship of the education ministry, expectations are high that the man once hailed as the “architect of cheat-free examinations” will again deliver decisive reforms in a sector central to Bangladesh’s future.