M M Jasim :
Thousands of students of government colleges and the newly nationalised institutions are in fear of session jam due to the ongoing movement by cadre and non-cadre teachers.
The teachers of 313 government colleges are on movement not for allowing teachers of the newly nationalised colleges as cadres while the teachers of 283 newly nationalised colleges threatened for movement demanding cadre designation.
The students think that the academic activities will be hampered badly if the government does not give any rational solution soon over the conflict between Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) education cadres and teachers of natinalised institutions.
Kamrul Hasan, a Masters student of Dhaka College, told The New Nation that the students of the government colleges are in session jam and facing different problems. “It is the regular phenomenon that the government colleges delay in publishing our results. As a result, we cannot apply for the job after completion of our student life. The ongoing movement of the teachers will add new complexities,” he said.
“Although the movement of our teachers is logical, we have to suffer for that. It is the Education Ministry’s duty to resolve the ongoing problem,” Kamrul said.
Rezaul Karim, a 3rd year student of Narsingdi Government College, said, the teachers asked the students that they would not be able to concentrate in delivering lectures until their demands are met. “It will fall us into session jam and other academic complexities,” he said.
Sabbir Hossain, a 1st year student of Abdul Jabbar Government (proposed) College, said, “The teachers of our college are preparing for movement demanding inclusion of their names in the cadre list. Their movement will hamper our classes and examination and it will create problematic situation.
Meanwhile, the BCS education cadre on Sunday started a two-day work abstention programme across the country protesting the government move to provide teachers of 283 non-government colleges the cadre status.
No classes, examinations and other official activities were held in government colleges across the country. And even the officials of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), different education boards and Government Alia Madrasa, belonging to the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) general education cadre, also observed the work abstention programme on Sunday.
“We are demonstrating at our respective institutions. We will continue to protests today (Monday),” Professor IK Selim Ullah, President of BCS General Education Association told The New Nation.
Asking about the fate of the students he said, “We don’t want to stop taking classes and examinations. It is the matter of our dignity. That is why we are demonstrating.”
“No BCS, no Cadre,” said Salim Ullah.
“The government has already started the process to nationalise 283 colleges. Before the colleges are nationalised, the government should make new policy for the listed colleges so that the teachers remain out of cadre status,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that on Friday, the BCS teachers declared the protest programme for November 26-27 at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
More strikes are due to be held on Jan 6, 7 and 8, according to the announcement.
Meanwhile, the teachers of natinalised institutions also urged the government to make their status as BCS cadres. They also threatened for tough movement if the government delayed in the process.
