Young cheats may go to jail

DHAKA (Reuter) - Bangladeshi schoolchildren as young as 14 caught cheating in final exams can in future be jailed for up to 10 years under a draconian law approved by parliament.

Any teacher found guilty of leaking examination questions, falsifying marks or diploma certificates faces the same penalty. The minimum jail term is five years. The measures apply to offences committed during the school and college finals. The minimum age of a child sitting school finals is 14.

Exam authorities will hand over suspected offenders to police, who will formally lay the charges. The law was approved despite objections from opposition members.