Polytechnic ‘shutdown’ programme suspended

Polytechnic students have suspended the shutdown programmes they had conducted at polytechnic institutes across the country by padlocking buildings to press home their six-point charter of demands.

Sabbir Ahmed, office secretary of the Karigori Chhhatra Andolon (Technical Students' Movement), told bdnews24.com: "We have temporarily suspended the polytechnic shutdown programme that brought classes and examinations to a close. The next programme will be announced in the afternoon."

A statement from the protest platform on Wednesday said an important joint meeting was held at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute premises under the initiative of the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) on Wednesday.

The principals, teachers and representatives of the IDEB, Polytechnic Teachers' Association and government and private polytechnic institutes in Dhaka attended the meeting.

All present at the meeting collectively expressed their views on the ongoing “shutdown” campaign and called on the students to return to classes.

Out of respect for the requests of teachers and from sincere concern and in the interest of technical education, the protesters announced a temporary relaxation of the "shutdown" programme from Wednesday.

“We have taken this decision in the interest of the students and to maintain an atmosphere open to discussion. However, we want to make clear that if there is no effective progress in the implementation of our demands, the next phase of the movement will be tougher,” the group said.

On Apr 29, students announced a shutdown across most of the country's polytechnic institutions to press for a six-point charter of demands.

Over the past two days, polytechnic students held protest rallies across the country and submitted complaints to the IDEB offices in all districts.

They launched protests on Apr 16. After the education ministry formed a committee to look over the implementation of their demands, they suspended the movement on Apr 29. However, the very next day, they decided to restart the protests.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Technical and Madrasah Education Division of the Ministry of Education formed an eight-strong committee, led by an additional secretary, to develop a roadmap for implementing their demands. An advisor to the technical student movement was also made a member of the committee. The committee was asked to submit its report to the secretary of the department within three weeks.

The six demands made by the protesting students 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 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.