Polytechnic students to launch tougher programmes after 'unsatisfactory discussion' with govt
Earlier today, the polytechnic students were about to observe a rail blockade, disrupting rail communication between Dhaka and the rest of the country as part of their movement
Students from polytechnic institutes have announced launching a stricter movement, stating that the discussion with the government today (17 April) was "unsatisfactory".
After a meeting with Additional Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Division Rehana Yasmin at the Secretariat around 12pm, the students told reporters about their decision to carry out tougher protest programmes pressing forth their six-point demand which includes cancellation of a 30% promotion quota for craft instructors to the post of junior instructor, reports Prothom Alo.
Student representative Mashfiq Islam told The Daily Star, "We didn't receive any official documents or see any concrete steps from the ministry. They have been stalling progress on every issue."
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"Today's discussions were not fruitful. We will soon announce fresh protest programmes to push for our six-point demands," he added.
Earlier today, the polytechnic students were about to observe a rail blockade, disrupting rail communication between Dhaka and the rest of the country as part of their movement.
However, the students later backtracked and said new programmes will be declared after holding a meeting with government officials.
In the face of the polytechnic students' movement, principal of Dhaka Polytechnic Institute Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan was removed from his post and was attached to the Directorate of Technical Education last night (16 April).
Yesterday, the polytechnic students blocked roads and rail lines across the country as part of their movement to meet their six demands, which caused immense suffering to the commuters.
Among the demands are calls to cancel the "controversial appointment" of craft instructors in 2021, abolishment of open-age admission in the Diploma in Engineering course, legal requirement to reserve positions in the 10th grade (equivalent to sub-assistant engineer) for diploma engineers, and prohibition of appointments of those without technical educational backgrounds.
The students also want a separate "Ministry of Technical and Higher Education" and the formation of a "Technical Education Reform Commission" and establishment of a high-quality technical university.
