Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
We the authors are dead against domination of quota in recruitment and appointment. In fact quota goes against merit, justice, excellence and professional predisposition. Of course positions should be earmarked for the unprivileged sections. Things must be done in a competitive manner. The quote ought to be managed in a way that will not disturb fair recruitment.
If it is found that suitable candidates are awfully missing better take time to pick up job seekers who are qualified for the positions. For example if unqualified doctors obtain position s they will be able do justice to the position. And the patients will get wrong treatment.
In other expression good governance demands appointment of qualified persons. Every government and non-government organization is committed to better services to its clients So if better candidates are not available in quota then the available posts may well be converted into merit system as there may be much less enough post in the merit system.
To cite information and comments from a newspaper:
Frequently aggrieved guardians and students express dismay over the prevailing quota systems that deprive them due admission and employment against the principles of equal opportunities, equity and justice. It is mostly due to the discriminatory attitude of the authorities to please the vested section to work as support base and or vote bank.
These sectorial organised groups along with their masters in politics and government have little concern for all and fundamental rights of the citizens. National dailies carried reports of the glorious language movement which was observed outside the campus countrywide at the cost of the public exchequer, where the voices of general students and teachers and guardians were hardly heard. Although historically it was a campus centred mother language movement for justice in the spirit of Bengali nationalism and democratic aspirations that led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 at immense sacrifices of the people for exploitation free society amid serene academic atmosphere, not campus violence of any sort where we are now.
Reports show on February 26, 2018 students of different educational institutions and employment seekers held procession and demonstration meeting before Central Library at Shahbagh Dhaka demanding reform of quota system. It was held under the banner of Bangladesh Association for protection of general students’ rights, which was largely attended.
They carried placard that said ‘There is no place for quota discrimination in Bangabandhu’s Bengal’, ‘Ensure non differential card mark in employment’, ‘Abolish quota for grandsons and great grandsons’, ‘ No quota above 10%’ and so on.
They placed 5-point demand. It included reducing the quota from prevailing 56% to 10% in appointments under government services, if qualified candidates are not available under quota vacant posts should be filled from merit list, under quota no special examination be taken, equal age for entry to government service, and in recruitment examination no use of quota facility for more than once.
A four member delegation from the movement went with memorandum to Prime Minister’s Office. Demanding similar reform in quota system the students of Comilla University under the banner of general students held a human chain, and submitted a memorandum to Vice- Chancellor containing signature of two thousand students, in its campus. They said it is becoming increasingly difficult for huge number of educated youth to get employment due to quota barrier, reported national daily on February 27, 2018.
Surely the appropriate authorities are aware of this problem to which no solution is forthcoming, might be selfish agenda hinder to go for job oriented economic growth. The benefits that flowed from globalisation since 1980s to Bangladesh, as a low cost labour exporting country and low cost destination of foreign buyers and investors have not been equitably distributed.
But opportunists who control politics and government, started with autocratic Ershad regime seized power displaced the democratically elected President Justice Satter.However, it is expected there would be soul searching in election year 2018 to address the burning issues, Joblessness specially educated unemployed etc., by ruling 14 party alliances and opposition 20 party alliances.
Towards that end free and fair election mutually agreed upon would be held, that’s the hope of concerned citizens.In fact the movement of the students against quota is justified. Rationalizing quota system and privileges is the demand of time. We live in the age of ICT. Digitization of governance warrants experts and right men in the right positions. Well qualified will have enough job satisfaction. They feel motivated to render service and development functins
