Students protesting for educational reforms have moved away from their demand for the Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon’s resignation to engage in formal discussions, presenting a six-point charter to officials at the Secretariat.
A six-member delegation of students entered the Secretariat at approximately 4:45pm on Wednesday to negotiate with Education Ministry officials.
The representatives were permitted to enter after being initially blocked by police at Shikkha Bhaban at 4pm. While the delegation held talks inside, students remaining outside the Secretariat continued to call for the Minister’s resignation.
The students’ six-point charter includes the following demands:
- Ensure re-examination opportunities for those who appeared for exams during disastrous weather conditions.
- For those retaking exams in the same subject, the higher mark between the original and the re-sit must be considered the final result.
- Full marks must be awarded for any incorrect questions present in the question papers.
- Provide adequate time for students to regain mental stability before rescheduling further exams, considering the current unstable situation.
- Evaluate marks fairly in light of unannounced changes to question patterns which were unfamiliar to students compared to previous years.
- Cease the strict and confusing conduct of certain teachers acting as “conscious guards” during exams to ensure candidates do not feel intimidated or under mental pressure
Students blockade Shahbagh intersection again
Students have once again taken position at the Shahbagh intersection on Wednesday afternoon to realise their six-point demands. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Moniruzzaman confirmed the blockade to the Times of Bangladesh, stating that students have obstructed the area to press for their demands.
He further noted that additional police personnel have been deployed to control any untoward situation and that they are attempting to negotiate with the students. The blockade at the Shahbagh intersection has resulted in a suspension of vehicular movement on various surrounding roads.
Protest against minister’s remarks
Earlier on Wednesday, students held a second day of protests demanding the resignation of Milon over his alleged “Broiler Murgi” [farm chicken] comment regarding examinees and the decision to conduct HSC and equivalent exams during inclement weather.
The protesters marched from the Science Lab intersection to the Shikkha Bhaban crossing, where they were met with police barricades at 3:30pm. Authorities had secured the barricades with chains and locks, supported by water cannons and a significant deployment of law enforcement personnel.
The students reached the barricade at 3:50pm and maintained their position for approximately two hours. Despite the heavy police presence, the protesters did not attempt to break the barricade or chant slogans during this period.
The demonstrators vacated the area at 5:50pm, after which police removed the barricades and traffic movement returned to normal.
