The local administration in Matlab North, Chandpur, has prohibited journalists from entering SSC examination centers. On the first day of the SSC and equivalent exams, local reporters sought permission from the center secretary to observe the exam process. The secretary informed them that the upazila administration had imposed a restriction on journalist entry during the exams.

Although the Ministry of Education allows conditional visits by journalists, local reporters expressed strong dissatisfaction with the strict local ban. Several senior journalists described the decision as regrettable, noting that the ministry itself had not issued such a prohibition. Abdul Gani Tapadar, a member of the Charakalia High School management committee and vice president of the upazila BNP, said journalists’ presence could help ensure a fair, cheating-free examination.

Center secretary Ataul Karim Mujahid stated that the upazila executive officer (UNO) had instructed all center secretaries by phone to prevent journalist entry. UNO Mahmuda Kulsum Moni later clarified that the directive originated from the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education), and she only implemented it locally.