RU employees observe full-day work abstention demanding reinstatement of ward quota
The work abstention began at 9am this morning and will continue until 4pm
Officials and staff at Rajshahi University are observing a full-day work abstention in demand for the reinstatement of the ward quota.
The work abstention began at 9am this morning (8 January) and will continue until 4pm.
During this time, the officials and staff gathered in front of the university's administration building.
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"Employees from six departments — transportation, electricity, medical services, examinations, water, and security — are exempt from this full-day work abstention as they are considered emergency services," said Muktar Hossain, acting president of Rajshahi University's Officers' Association.
He said all other officials and staff are participating in the abstention.
Muktar said, "We are against the term 'quota'. We just want institutional benefits to be provided for our children. These benefits are offered in all governmental institutions across the country.
"We are observing a full-day work abstention today. We will hold a meeting with the representatives of all organisations tomorrow (9 January) and announce our next course of action."
On 2 January, the university administration was compelled to cancel the designated ward quota for teachers, officials, and staff in the face of student protests. This led to significant resentment among the RU staff.
Following this, the RU officials and staff observed a two-hour sit-in yesterday (7 January) and a one-hour human chain program on Monday (6 January).
The ward quota, introduced by former vice-chancellor Prof Abdul Bari, allowed children of RU's faculty, officers and staff to gain admission by merely passing the competitive admission exam.
The quota initially reserved 5% of seats for these children. However, it was reduced to 4% last year under pressure from students.
After the interim government assumed office following the 5 August mass uprising, it was further reduced to 3%.
Despite these reductions, protests continued, culminating in the demonstrators locking the administration building on 2 January.
Over 200 university officials and employees, including two pro-vice-chancellors and the proctor, were locked in for 12 hours.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib eventually met the protesters and announced the complete abolition of the ward quota.
