Dhaka, July 17: A new wave of protests has erupted in Bangladesh as students demand reforms in the education system. Young protesters have taken to the streets in Dhaka and other cities, following the rise of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government nearly five months ago.
The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations, which began on July 2, faced disruptions due to severe weather conditions. Approximately 1.3 million students were affected as heavy rains led to flooding, particularly in the Chattogram region, causing significant damage in various parts of the country.
In response to the flooding, the education ministry postponed exams in five districts under the Chattogram education board, while other boards continued with their schedules. This decision sparked outrage among students.
Reports from the online magazine ‘The Diplomat’ indicated that the situation was particularly dire in Chattogram, with students in places like Cumilla also facing adverse weather. Many students had to wade through knee-deep water to reach their examination centers, enduring rain and storms to take their tests. This challenging situation heightened frustration among students and their parents.
The anger escalated further when an audio clip of Bangladesh’s Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan went viral, in which he made a controversial remark about female students being “farm chickens.”
According to local media, protests erupted in at least 13 districts, including Dhaka, Chattogram, and Cumilla. Students blocked roads, besieged education board offices, and held rallies. In Dhaka, demonstrators jammed major intersections and chanted sarcastic slogans.
In light of the growing unrest, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held an emergency meeting with Minister Milan on July 14. Following this, Milan apologized in Parliament, acknowledging the difficulties faced by students due to the heavy rains and flooding.
On July 15, he announced that arrangements would be made for students who could not take their exams to retake them.
The report emphasized the need for the government to demonstrate greater sensitivity, better preparedness, and integrity to prevent such issues from escalating in the future. It is essential to respect students’ feelings and challenges to maintain a robust education system in a sensitive and democratic environment.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
