Barishal students block highway, demanding education adviser's resignation over delayed HSC reschedule

Students in Barishal blocked the Dhaka-Barishal Highway today (22 July), demanding the resignation of the education adviser over the late rescheduling of HSC exams and lack of transparency about casualties from the recent Milestone plane crash.

Anger mounted over the education authorities' late-night notice regarding changes in the HSC exam schedule. Students criticised the timing and handling of the announcement, calling for the resignation of the Education Adviser Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar.

The protesters expressed frustration over the absence of clear information about the deceased and the injured as well. "Many families are still searching for their children," said one demonstrator. "We demand an accurate list of casualties and injured victims."

Beginning around noon, demonstrators gathered in front of the Barishal Education Board office in Nathullabad, halting traffic along the highway and causing severe congestion. Commuters were left stranded for hours as the blockade continued.

During the protest, students held a 'gayebana janaza' for those who died in the Milestone School tragedy, followed by prayers for the departed souls.

In response, Barishal Education Board Chairman Md Yunus Ali Siddiqui acknowledged that they, too, received the exam rescheduling notice late at night and claimed that they promptly informed all colleges upon receiving it.