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The Karigari Chhatra Andolon (Technical Students’ Movement), a protest platform for students under the Technical Education Board, have announced protest rallies in districts across the country on Sunday to push for a six-point list of demands.
A rally is to be held today in Dhaka’s Agargaon near the Mohila Polytechnic Institute at 11:00 am.
Mashfiq Islam Dewan, a representative of the Karigari Chhatra Andolon and Dhaka Polytechnic Institute student, said on Saturday: “Though a decision was taken to hold mass rallies in districts across the country on Sunday, the name of the programme has been changed. Now we are calling it a rally. Later, if the programme is expanded across the country, we will call it a mass rally,” reports bdnews24.com.
“The rally will start on the new road next to the Mohila Polytechnic Institute in Agargaon at 11:00 am. We will set off from the south gate at Dhaka Polytechnic at 10:00 am and march there.”
A human chain demonstration was held at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute on Saturday afternoon to push for the six-point list of demands and protest the “attacks” on a protest by polytechnic students in Cumilla. At the end of the programme, the students covered the name of the institute on the main gate with red cloth. The students called the programme “Rise in Red”.
On Friday afternoon, the polytechnic students held mass marches while wearing “burial shrouds”.
The protesters held torch marches at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute and other technical education institutions across the country on Thursday night after the students said they were not satisfied following a meeting with education ministry officials.
The six-point demands of the protesters are:
Cancellation of the High Court verdict promoting craft instructors to junior instructor posts, along with a change in the title of craft instructor, permanent dismissal of all involved in the case, and immediate annulment of the 2021 recruitment rules. Protesters also demanded a fair investigation and action against those responsible.
Continuation of the four-year Diploma Engineering course, and the formulation of a modern, standardised syllabus and curriculum.
Exclusive eligibility for the post of Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent (10th grade) for students who have completed a four-year Diploma in Engineering or Monotechnology (Surveying). Private diploma graduates should receive a minimum basic salary of Tk 16,000.
Enforcement of the Technical Education Reform Committee's report outlining the appointment of technically educated personnel in positions such as directors, deputy directors, principals, and others within the technical sector.
Revision of all controversial recruitment rules under the Directorate of Technical Education and publication of recruitment notices to fill vacant posts with technically educated teachers and lab assistants in polytechnic institutes and Technical School and Colleges (TSCs).
Publication of a gazette to establish a university for the higher education of Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology graduates, and reservation of 100 percent of seats for them in the proposed four engineering colleges in Naogaon, Thakurgaon, Narail, and Khagrachhari.