Students at Jahangirnagar University have locked the administrative building, demanding the complete abolition of the ward quota in undergraduate admissions. In response, university employees announced an indefinite strike starting Wednesday to reinstate the quota. Tensions escalated when employees tore down anti-quota posters, and reports emerged of a student being pushed. Previously, students had staged a hunger strike, leading the administration to amend the quota system. However, employees rejected the changes, intensifying the standoff between the two groups.

Students of Government Titumir College have declared an indefinite shutdown starting Monday, demanding the college be upgraded to a university. They will continue their “Barasat Barricade to North City” movement. Classes, exams, and administrative activities will remain halted until their demands are met. However, Saraswati Puja celebrations will proceed as planned. The students also demand recognition as a university, withdrawal of an education advisor’s statement, and an investigation into legal obstructions. Earlier, they blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway for two hours in protest.

Bangladesh’s primary school teachers earn the lowest salaries in South Asia, with an average of 170.02 USD per month, significantly lower than other countries. Teachers in Luxembourg, Germany, and Singapore receive far higher wages, making teaching a prestigious profession in those nations. In Bangladesh, teachers struggle with low pay and are often burdened with debt. Teachers are demanding higher pay and recognition, with recent protests calling for salary grade upgrades. Their fight highlights the disparity in teacher compensation compared to international standards.

The admission process for the seven colleges affiliated with Dhaka University has encountered complexities after the university’s decision to stop admissions under its affiliation starting this academic year. While applications for undergraduate admissions are ongoing, the jurisdiction for entrance exams remains unclear. The government has proposed establishing a new university for these colleges, but due to the time-consuming process of law-making, uncertainty surrounds the timeline. Students are demanding clarity and quick actions regarding the establishment of the new university.

Following a 10-day-long protest by teachers, the government has announced a plan to gradually nationalize all independent Ebtedayee madrasas. Initially, 1,519 grant-supported madrasas will be included under the MPO scheme starting in 2025. The Ministry of Education has accepted the teachers’ six-point demands in principle and expressed regret over police actions during the protests. Teachers have suspended their movement until June 30, warning of further action if demands are not met. This decision marks significant progress for the Ebtedayee education sector.

Education Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud revealed that a new independent university will be established for the seven colleges currently affiliated with Dhaka University, following years of complications. The process will take time, as creating a university involves constitutional work, teacher recruitment, legal and financial considerations, and state-level accreditation. The authorities have decided to admit students separately from the next session. Opinions from current students will be gathered to finalize the admission process for the 2024-25 academic year.

Dhaka University has decided to end its affiliation with seven government colleges starting from the 2024-25 academic year. Admissions for these colleges will no longer be conducted under DU. The decision was made during a meeting between DU authorities and the college principals. A specialized committee formed by the Education Ministry will oversee academic matters, including seat allocation and fees. DU will remain responsible for the academic progress of current students. The move follows student protests demanding administrative independence for the seven colleges.

Summary: After a clash between Dhaka University students and those from seven affiliated government colleges, all exams scheduled for January 27 have been postponed, including the final exams of the seven colleges. The decision was announced by the Dhaka University Controller of Examinations following a request from Dhaka College’s principal. The clash occurred after a protest by students demanding changes in college issues, during which students from both sides chased each other. The seven colleges’ students also accused the DU Pro-Vice Chancellor of inappropriate behavior.

All classes and exams at Dhaka University were suspended on Monday (January 27) after violent clashes occurred between university students and those from seven affiliated colleges. The altercation began when Dhaka University students gathered to prevent a siege at the residence of the university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor. Running battles ensued, leaving eight injured. In response, four platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were deployed with police assistance to restore order in the area.

Education Advisor Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud highlighted the fragile state of Bangladesh’s education system, citing decades of decline starting in 1972 due to poor policy decisions, including converting prestigious colleges into university colleges and unchecked nationalization. Speaking to the Education Reporters Association, he emphasized that systemic issues take time to develop and cannot be quickly resolved. Poor primary education cascades into secondary and higher education, perpetuating a cycle of underqualified graduates. He also criticized the current state of National University graduates, many of whom remain unemployed.

Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Advisor to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, stated that teachers engaging in politics will face action as per regulations. Speaking at NAPE, Mymensingh, he highlighted the government’s efforts to enhance education quality through curriculum and exam reforms. He stressed the importance of holistic child development, including sports and cultural activities. Dr. Poddar also addressed delays in book distribution and efforts to register private educational institutions to reduce costs.

Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary of the Chief Adviser, confirmed that all students will receive their new textbooks by February. He compared the current administration’s effort with the previous government’s practice of a one-day textbook festival, which did not result in timely distribution. Alam added that textbooks in past years were sometimes distributed as late as July, and the interim government is working swiftly with stakeholders, including paper manufacturers, to ensure prompt delivery.

The interim government cited disruptions in textbook printing due to interference by dishonest groups active during the previous government. This year, all textbooks are being printed locally, shifting from earlier reliance on Indian facilities. As of January 6, over 11 crore textbooks have been printed and distributed out of a target of 40 crore. While delays caused inconvenience, the government highlighted the economic benefit to 10-12 lakh local workers and expressed optimism about overcoming challenges soon.

Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, insists that teaching should be acknowledged as a premier profession in Bangladesh. He believes this acknowledgment would attract the brightest individuals to the field.

Hasnat Abdullah said that teaching is a profession where individuals shape students, thus teachers must be honored with the highest regard.