Teacher crisis: Students announce complete shutdown of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College

Protesting students at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal have announced a complete shutdown of the institution demanding an end to the ongoing teacher crisis there.

The protesters also locked the gate of the medical college's administrative building today (17 February).

"Despite being a leading medical institution in the country, Sher-e-Bangla Medical College is currently facing major challenges in providing both education and healthcare due to a teacher shortage. Most departments, especially medicine, microbiology, pathology, physiology, CCU, gastroenterology, and even the dental department, are experiencing a severe teacher shortage," one protester told The Business Standard on condition of anonymity fearing reprisal from the college administration.

Another protester said due to the teacher shortage, medical students are being deprived of quality classes and training, which will have a negative impact on the medical system in the future.

The students demanded that teachers be appointed to the vacant posts in all departments of the medical college immediately.

"The teachers who were transferred from community medicine, microbiology, pathology and other departments must be immediately reinstated to their original posts and a notification in this regard must be issued within 24 hours," the protester further said.

"Otherwise, a stricter programme will be announced," the protester warned.

Meanwhile, speaking to TBS, the medical college's Principal Faizul Bashar said there is indeed a teacher shortage in the institution. 

"The matter has been discussed with the ministry. Efforts are being made to resolve the problem quickly," he said.