Students from Dhaka University’s (DU) Department of Communication Disorders have boycotted classes, demanding that their Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) degree be recognized for professional practice as speech and language therapists.
They have presented a four-point demand to the Ministry of Social Welfare, calling for amendments to the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act of 2018, which currently only recognizes the Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree for speech and language therapy practitioners.
In contrast, DU offers a BSS degree for the same field.
The students of the department sent a media statement in this regard.
The statement said: "Both BSc and BSS, as well as BA degrees, are recognized worldwide for speech and language therapy. However, the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act is discriminatory, acknowledging only BSc degrees for professional practice in this field."
They further emphasized the need for an inclusive academic framework that recognizes the BSS degree, which they argue covers essential social and clinical contexts relevant to speech and language therapy.
Assistant Professor Sharmin Ahmed, chairperson of the Department of Communication Disorders, said the issue needs to be solved through legal measures.
However, in response to the ongoing student protests and boycott, classes and exams have been suspended.
"The academic committee will formally apply to the university administration, seeking legal action on this matter. While this issue calls for long-term discussion, students are pushing for an immediate resolution," said Sharmin Ahmed.
She also mentioned that the vice-chancellor (VC) had taken the matter seriously, though the university’s role remains limited to legal steps. "We will discuss with the students whether they plan to continue their boycott or return to classes," she added.
The students' frustration is heightened by their exclusion from the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council, which comprises 32 members with no representation from Department of Communication Disorders.
"They are deliberately depriving us by excluding the BSS degree from recognition, essentially blocking us from entering the profession," said Saidur Rahman Shahin, a fourth-year student.
Their demands include amending the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act to recognize the BSS in Speech and Language Pathology as a qualification for speech and language therapy practitioners.
It also mentions that the MSS in Speech and Language Pathology degree should be enlisted as an additional qualification for practitioners.
The students also demanded the exclusion of the 32 members of the committee and the reformation of the council through a discussion with its stakeholders.
They also demanded that any lodged writs against the Department of Communication Disorders professionals should be withdrawn.
The students also demanded that no new policies, such as the Rehabilitation Educational Institution Recognition Policy 2024 and the Rehabilitation Professionals' Registration and Practitioner License 2024, be approved until their demands are met.