HSC examinees in Dhaka and several other districts staged demonstrations on Wednesday demanding the suspension of examinations amid adverse weather conditions, re-tests for affected students and the resignation of Education Minister Ehsanul Hoque Milon over remarks they said were derogatory.
In the capital, hundreds of students gathered at Science Laboratory intersection and later marched towards the Education Ministry with a three-point demand.
Police stopped the procession near Shikkha Bhaban on Abdul Goni road by placing barricades as the students attempted to move towards the Secretariat.
The students ended their sit-in at Science Lab around 3:05pm and began a long march towards the ministry. Police personnel remained deployed around the procession to maintain order.
Students from different educational institutions started gathering at Science Lab from noon and blocked the road for around half an hour, chanting slogans and displaying placards in support of their demands.
Police had taken position at Shikkha Bhaban before the students arrived and locked the barricades with chains to prevent them from proceeding towards the Secretariat.
“We came to the streets peacefully to raise our rights and legitimate demands. Since our three-point demands have not been met, we want to go directly to the Education Ministry and present our concerns,” said protester Fahim Ahmed.
Students from Uttara have started a march towards the Shikkha Bhaban as part of their ongoing protest. The blockade triggered severe traffic congestion from the Airport area to BNS Centre, causing suffering for commuters. Several transport workers also reported losses due to prolonged delays.
Protests erupt in districts
The protests spread to Narayanganj, Pirojpur and Cumilla, where HSC students held rallies demanding the education minister’s resignation.
In Narayanganj, students marched through the city after completing their examinations. The procession began from Chashara around 1:30pm, with many students joining while still wearing their uniforms and carrying examination materials.
The protesters criticised the minister for allegedly calling students “farm chickens”, saying they did not want him to continue leading the education ministry.
“We do not want experiments with our education system. We want fundamental changes. The minister has insulted students, and we do not want such a minister,” said Sabbir Al Raj, an HSC examinee of Government Tolaram College and joint convener of the district committee of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti.
The procession moved through Bangabandhu Road before returning to Chashara.
Additional Superintendent of Police (A Circle) Shamim Hossain said students came onto the streets after their examinations and left after police spoke with them. “We are maintaining a cautious position depending on the situation,” he said.
In Pirojpur, students brought out a protest rally demanding the minister’s resignation, alleging that examinations were held despite severe weather conditions and that students were subjected to insulting remarks.
The protesters marched from Pirojpur Government Women’s College and later blocked roads at the Sadar area.
The demonstration ended after local Chhatra Dal leaders spoke with the students and persuaded them to withdraw.
In Cumilla, students staged a protest in front of the Cumilla Education Board, demanding that examinations be postponed until the disaster situation improves, re-examinations be arranged for students affected by bad weather, and the education minister apologise publicly.
Students said heavy rainfall, flooding and waterlogging created severe difficulties for candidates travelling to examination centres.
They alleged that many students had to cross waist-deep water to sit for examinations.
A student of Cumilla Victoria College said many candidates could not perform well due to the difficult circumstances and demanded the suspension of examinations during disasters, as HSC results play an important role in university and medical admissions.
The protesters also demanded an apology over the minister’s alleged remarks and some called for his resignation.
Heavy rainfall on 13 July caused severe waterlogging in several areas of Cumilla city.
At some examination centres, including Cumilla Government Women’s College, candidates had to pass through flooded roads to reach venues, triggering anger among students and guardians who accused authorities of failing to take adequate measures.
In Lakshmipur, students held the demonstration in Uttar Temuhani area of the town after the students completed their examinations in the afternoon.
Students from Lakshmipur Government College, Government Women’s College, Dalal Bazar Degree College, Lakshmipur Victory College and Oxford College joined the protest and raised slogans against the education minister.
Addressing the rally, the students said they wanted an education minister who was supportive of students and focused on improving the education system, not one who was only concerned with examinations.
“The education minister must resign,” they said.
