After the Eid-ul-Azha and summer vacation, the teachers of various universities, including Dhaka University, started observing a half-day work abstention demanding the cancellation of the newly introduced universal pension scheme.
DU teachers observed a half-day work abstention on Tuesday and will observe a half-day strike on June 26 and 27.
They have fixed a time till June 30 before going to large movement, however, if demands are not met within this period, they have announced to a complete strike from July 1.
On the other hand, University students of all over the country plan for a large movement in July demanding the cancellation of the High Court's verdict of the reinstatement of quota in government jobs. Students say if their demands are not met, they are preparing for a large movement in all universities of the country including Dhaka University.
On 17 August 2023, the Universal Pension Scheme was rolled out in the country by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The pension scheme was initially launched in four titles namely – 'Probash', 'Pragati', 'Surokkha' and 'Samota'.
Later, a new and fifth scheme titled 'Prottoy' was introduced for the officials and employees of the self-governed, autonomous and state-owned institutions. That's why, Public university teachers have been protesting for two months demanding cancellation of this universal pension system 'Prottoy Scheme'.
From April 30 to May 5, Dhaka University teachers collected signatures and 1061 teachers signed.
Later, on May 26, a human chain programme was held in various universities including Dhaka University on the call of the teachers' federation.
After that, the teachers observed a two-hour strike from 10 am to 12 noon on May 28 and a half-day strike on June 4.
In this regard, the Secretary General of the Federation of University Teachers' Association and the President of the DU Teachers' Association Professor Dr. Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan said, "Even though we set a deadline till June 30, there has been no discussion with us to solve the problem. We are firm in our position, no academic and administrative activities will continue from July 1.”
"We will observe a full-day strike on the 30th of June and a total strike from July 1. Then hall provosts will not go to any of our halls, the chairmen of any department will not go to the department, and the directors of the institute will not go to the institute. Even the teachers who are in administrative charge will not perform any duty." he added.
The general secretary of the DU Teachers' Association Zeenat Huda echoed the same.
"All academic activities will be closed from July 1 until the demands are met. Department, libraries, labs, and seminars will be closed," she warned.
On the other hand, on June 5, the High Court declared illegal the government's 2018 decision to cancel the 30 per cent quota system for freedom fighters' children in civil service jobs.
As a result, a total of 56 per cent quota including a 30 per cent quota of freedom fighters was reinstated in government jobs.
After the verdict, in an immediate reaction to the HC verdict, the Dhaka University students called on their fellows from all educational institutions of the country to join in protesting the decision.
Later, anti-quota protest rallies were held in various universities. Now Students say If the government does not take any action against the quota system, there will be a large movement among the students of all universities in the country.
DU English Department student and organiser of the anti-quota movement Hasnat Abdullah said they will have a meeting soon regarding this issue and they are preparing and planning how they move forward with this movement demanding cancellation of HC verdict of quota reinstatement.
This should be mentioned, that at least 10 departments have final exam schedules in Dhaka University from the beginning of July, the situation on other campuses is almost the same.
"Exams will be cancelled along with everything. No exam will be conducted, no new exam will be announced. I hope Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will cancel this discriminatory pension scheme and restore the previous situation in educational institutions." Prof Nizamul Haque said.
shakibtahmid05@gmail