University students again took the street on Thursday and staged demonstrations against a government decision that postponed their ongoing examinations.
The students under the National University (NU) staged demonstration at Shahbagh area in the capital and demanded the authorities of holding their postponed examinations in February or early March.
In a three-day ultimatum, they have warned of tougher nationwide programmes if their demand is not met before Sunday.
Meanwhile, on the same day, students of Chittagong University (CU) formed a human chain and staged demonstrations protesting the postponement of the examinations.
In the meantime, yielding to the demand of the students, National University authorities have announced new schedules for all postponed examinations. All the postponed examinations will be taken as per the revised schedule from May 24, 2021, according to a press release of the NU.
The tests include the second year exams for the 2019 Degree Pass and Certificate Course, Masters final examination for 2018 session and all other professional courses. The admission process for the 2020-2021 academic calendar will begin from June 8.
Before the new schedule was published on Thursday, police in Dhaka foiled students’ attempt to block the Shahbagh intersection, when at least 10 people were detained.
On Thursday morning, several students demonstrated at the Shahbagh area protesting the government decision to postpone the examinations.
At one point, they tried to block the Shahbagh intersection, when the police intervened.
“Some students have been taken to custody for interrogation. They will be released if not found guilty,” Deputy Commissioner Sazzadur Rahman of the police’s Ramna zone told the media.
Hours later, the Shahbagh police station said they have released ten students who were detained from the demonstration.
“The students were handed over to their guardians following interrogation,” Officer-in-Charge Mamun-or-Rashid said.
Meanwhile, in Netrokona, several students of the National University were injured as police dispersed them by baton-charging during demonstrations in the district town.
On Monday last, the NU announced that all examinations under the National University (NU) were postponed until further notice which created a anger among the students.
Earlier on Wednesday, amid protests over the postponement of exams, the authorities of the seven colleges affiliated with the Dhaka University announced that the examinations would be held as scheduled ealier– but with a few conditions attached.
The Ministry of Education issued a statement, saying the examinations would take place, reversing an earlier decision to postpone the exams till May 1, made by the Dhaka University and the college authorities.
However, the ministry said the dormitories would remain closed. The exams also must be held following health safety rules for Covid-19. Following the demonstrations, a group of National University students on Wednesday also declared that they would hold a protest programme in Shahbagh at 10am on Thursday.
Meanwhile, several students from different departments of CU are staging demonstrations in front of the administrative building of the university until filing the report Thursday afternoon.
The agitating students formed a human chain in front of central Shaheed Minar of the university around 12pm and marched towards the administrative building with a procession.
The students demanded reopening of the residential halls, continuation of the ongoing examination and starting of bus service until resuming shuttle trains service.
University Proctor Dr. Robibul Hasan Bhuiyan said, the university dean’s committee decided to postpone all types of exams after getting the order from the Education Ministry and it will continue until further decision.
Being asked about student movement, he said they will talk to the students and try to find out a positive solution.
Earlier on Monday, against the backdrop of agitation by public university students, the government announced that the academic activities at all universities – public and private – would resume from May 24, after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The dormitories of public universities would reopen on May 17.
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