A group of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examination candidates, who have been protesting over the continuation of examinations during adverse weather and alleging that they were referred to as “farm chickens”, have once again taken to the street at the Science Laboratory intersection in Dhaka.
The students resumed their sit-in and demonstration around 3:45pm on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, beginning nearly 11:45am, they had blocked roads at the Science Laboratory and in front of the BNS Centre in Uttara.
They later marched toward the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board.
Around 12:45pm, police stopped the students in front of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall at the University of Dhaka. A brief scuffle ensued between the protesters and police.
Later, Nasir Uddin Nasir, general secretary of the Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal, spoke with the students and helped calm the situation.
After being blocked near Mohsin Hall, the protesters gathered at Nilkhet intersection around 1pm.
They then marched through Chankharpul toward the education board at around 1:45pm.
The examinees staged a sit-in in front of the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Education Board from approximately 2:30pm to 3:30pm.
Prof Syed Akhtaruzzaman, president of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and Chairman of the Dhaka education board, said “After the examinees gathered in front of the board, we proposed holding a discussion with them.
“At one stage, they said that a delegation of five to seven representatives would speak with us. However, they left without entering into any discussion.”
The protesters then returned to the Science Laboratory intersection around 3:45pm, where they renewed their demonstration.
They are demanding the resignation of Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.
One of the protesters, Tahmid, said despite continuous rainfall, widespread waterlogging, and flooding in different parts of the country, the HSC examinations were held, causing severe hardship for candidates.
Many students had to travel through floodwater and mud, and some even had to take boats to reach their examination centers.
He said that although students had requested a postponement of the examinations under such circumstances, their appeals were ignored.
He also alleged that questions 6 and 7 of the physics first paper examination contained errors and raised concerns about the overall quality of the question paper.
During the protest, students chanted slogans including: “Who are you? Who are we? Farm chickens!”
“Who said it? Who said it? The education minister!”
“One demand, one goal—the resignation of the education minister!” “Light it up, light it up—set the fire!” “No compromise, only struggle!”
Many protesters were seen carrying placards demanding the postponement of the HSC examinations and the resignation of the education minister.
The protesters presented three demands that included the following: suspend the HSC and equivalent exams until the ongoing natural disasters across different parts of the country have completely subsided.
Arrange a special re-examination for candidates who were unable to sit for the examination held on Jul 13 due to adverse weather conditions, and ensure the resignation of Minister Milon within the next 24 hours.
