Wearing symbolic funeral shrouds, students from various Polytechnic Institutes across the country staged a massive protest march on Friday after Jumu’ah prayers, starting from Tejgaon Polytechnic. The demonstration, organized under the banner of “Technical Student Movement Bangladesh,” was announced late Thursday night. Earlier in the evening, students held torch processions in Dhaka and other cities. Protesters accused the Ministry of Education of betraying them through staged meetings and condemned the attack on fellow demonstrators in Cumilla.

Technical Student Movement has announced a nationwide protest on Friday, modeling it after the symbolic “Shroud Movement” of 1987. Polytechnic students across the country will wear shrouds on their heads and march in unison after Jummah prayers. The students also staged torch marches protesting deceptive meetings by the Education Ministry and attacks on demonstrators in Cumilla.

Following a meeting with Additional Secretary Rehana Yasmin of the Technical and Madrasah Education Division, Polytechnic student representatives expressed disappointment over the lack of solutions. “The meeting was fruitless,” said a student spokesperson. They announced plans for tougher nationwide action across all polytechnic institutes, while committing to minimize public disruption during protests.

Students from both public and private polytechnic institutes had announced a rail blockade today to press home their six-point demands. However, the protest has been temporarily suspended until 11 AM, said Jubayer Patwary, a representative of the Technical Student Movement. The suspension comes as a meeting is scheduled with the Ministry of Education. If the meeting yields positive results, the blockade will be called off. Otherwise, students will announce fresh demonstrations.

Amid ongoing nationwide protests by polytechnic students, Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan has been removed from his post as principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute and reassigned as an OSD (Officer on Special Duty). Sahela Parveen has been appointed as the new principal. Students from both public and private polytechnic institutes have been staging demonstrations demanding fulfillment of six key demands. As part of their movement, they announced a railway blockade for Thursday and staged protest marches across the country on Wednesday.

Students of public and private polytechnic institutes have announced a nationwide railway blockade on Thursday as part of their ongoing movement to press home six demands. While they called off today’s road blockade, their demands include cancellation of the 30% promotion quota for Craft Instructors to Junior Instructor posts, revocation of unauthorized appointments made in 2021, dismissal of those involved, reform of recruitment policies, and ending open-age admissions in Diploma Engineering courses. They also demand a four-year curriculum aligned with international standards and English as the medium of instruction, as well as the establishment of a separate Ministry for Technical and Higher Education, a Technical Education Reform Commission, and a dedicated technical university.

Students at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) have forcefully entered residential halls, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammed Machusud. Citing the VC’s failure to ensure student safety, allegedly cutting off water and internet, and encouraging legal action against protestors, the students declared a one-point demand: his immediate removal. They also called for a neutral investigation under a new VC. The students, in a show of defiance, broke through locked gates and re-entered the dormitories.

The University of Dhaka has announced plans to hold student union (DUCSU) elections and is set to form an Election Commission and finalize the voter list by mid-May. In an official statement, the administration emphasized the significance of DUCSU in university governance and assured stakeholders of their commitment to a free and fair election. Consultations with various stakeholders began in December, and a roadmap for the election process has been made public.

Students from Dhaka City College and Dhaka College clashed violently near Science Laboratory intersection in Dhaka. Both sides were seen hurling stones and bricks at each other. The reason behind the conflict remains unclear. City College students gathered under the Science Lab footbridge while Dhaka College students positioned themselves near the Government Teachers’ Training College. Additional police forces were deployed, and DMP Ramna Division DC Masud Alam was observed coordinating efforts to control the situation.

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) has temporarily suspended 37 students following a review of incidents on February 18–19. A special syndicate meeting held on February 19 had formed a probe committee. Details of the disciplinary action and dormitory reopening were outlined in a university press release. Dormitories will reopen on May 2.

Over 100 students of Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET) entered the campus on Sunday after 52 days of closure and began a sit-in in front of the administrative building demanding dormitories be reopened by 8 PM. Despite a university ban, the students bypassed restrictions, prompting the administration to deploy additional security. After negotiations, students were allowed in upon ID verification. However, university authorities clarified that reopening dorms requires a Syndicate meeting decision. Students warned of stricter protests if their demand is unmet.

National University Vice-Chancellor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah has said that wealthy students generally avoid attending National University. Speaking about reforms, he emphasized introducing practical training like outsourcing, cooking, and technical courses, as well as promoting cultural activities such as debates and sports through dedicated funding. Dr. Amanullah also raised concerns over political influence in college governing bodies, stating that if the situation persists, the very need for such bodies could be questioned. He expressed frustration over teachers’ salaries and blamed the decline in Dhaka University’s standards on poor governance and political interference. He also called for new strategies to increase student attendance in classrooms.

Prominent academic Dr. Salimullah Khan has urged the government to allocate a minimum of 6% of the national income to the education sector. He referenced Sri Lanka’s new government, which has pledged 10% for education, noting that while Bangladesh may not reach that figure, 6% is the least that should be done. Dr. Khan criticized economists like Hossain Zillur Rahman, who argue such funding would be wasted on infrastructure. “Allocate a separate budget for buildings if needed,” he said. “But don’t ignore ongoing educational expenses while talking about democracy—it’s contradictory.”

Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Directorate of Health Education, clarified that there is no decision to shut down any medical colleges in the country. Of the 37 colleges, six are relatively new and still lack full infrastructure, particularly Nilphamari Medical College. He criticized the previous government for establishing these institutions without proper planning and said that the 2022–23 expansion of 1,030 additional seats has placed a heavy burden on resources. However, he warned, “If the quality of education cannot be ensured, strict measures will be taken. We cannot allow the emergence of incompetent doctors.”

A disturbing incident has surfaced from the SSC examination center at Bamni High School in Companiganj, where a student alleges that her answer script and MCQ sheet were forcibly taken and tampered with. Student Shanjida Afrin filed a written complaint with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), claiming that two teachers—assistant hall supervisor Shah Kamal Sabuj and hall guard Nurul Karim—delayed the distribution of her MCQ sheet and then snatched her answer script before the time ended. When she protested, one of the accused allegedly filled in random answers on her MCQ sheet and verbally abused her near the exam room. Afrin believes she was targeted for not taking private tuition from them.