Polytechnic students block road in Rajshahi over six-point demands
The demonstration began at 11am and continued for over two hours, causing severe traffic congestion and public suffering on both sides of the road
Students from Rajshahi Government Polytechnic, Rajshahi Government Women's Polytechnic, and Rajshahi Government Survey Institute blocked a road in the city's railgate area today (15 April), demanding the fulfilment of six points raised by the "Technical Student Movement."
The demonstration began at 11am and continued for over two hours, causing severe traffic congestion and public suffering on both sides of the road.
At around 12:45pm, army personnel attempted to clear the road, leading to a brief verbal altercation with the protesters. As of 1:40pm, students were still occupying the road.
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The six-point demands include annulment of the High Court verdict on the promotion of craft instructors to junior instructors; change of the craft instructor designation; permanent dismissal of those involved in the case; and cancellation of the 2021 recruitment of Craft Instructors along with amendments to the recruitment policy.
They also demand abolition of the provision allowing admission to the Diploma in Engineering course at any age; introduction of a four-year quality curriculum aligned with international standards; and gradual shift to English-medium instruction in upcoming academic sessions.
The students want enforcement of legal measures against government and autonomous bodies appointing diploma engineers to posts below sub-assistant engineer or equivalent (10th grade).
They demanded prohibition of non-technical personnel from holding technical management positions including director, assistant director, board chairman, deputy secretary, controller of examinations, and principal; immediate recruitment of technically qualified individuals to these posts; and appointment of skilled teachers and lab assistants to all vacant positions.
The students said they want establishment of a separate ministry named "Ministry of Technical and Higher Education" and formation of a Technical Education Reform Commission to address disparities and improve the technical education sector.
They also demand establishment of a technical university for higher education opportunities for diploma graduates; and allocation of 100% of seats at the under-construction engineering colleges in Narail, Natore, Khagrachari, and Thakurgaon for students from polytechnic and monotechnic institutes, with temporary campuses and academic activities under Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology.
The students said they would not leave the streets until their demands are fulfilled.
Earlier in September 2024, students from various polytechnic institutions under the banner of the "Technical Student Movement" staged a demonstration in Dhaka pressing for these same demands.
They withdrew the programme after authorities assured them that the demands would be met.
