Leftist student body Bangladesh Chhatra Federation has welcomed the initiative to hold the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) polls during a rally to mark its 34th founding anniversary on Thursday.
Leaders and activists of the Ganasanghati Andolan backed student front also demanded that a democratic environment be ensured in educational institutions, and called for a uniform education system for teaching science in the country.
Chhatra Federation brought out a rally from in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University (DU) to mark its 34th founding anniversary.
Addressing the rally, Chhatra Federation Central President Golam Mostofa said he welcomed the initiative of the DU authorities to hold the long awaited Ducsu election.
However, he also warned that the student front would wage a tough movement if the university authorities “tried to manipulate the Ducsu polls like the general election.”
Claiming that Awami League student front Bangladesh Chhatra League had established a reign of terror at educational institutes across the country, the Chhatra Federation president urged for the establishment of a democratic environment at educational institutions before the polls.
Meanwhile, Chhatra Federation General Secretary Jahid Sujon demanded that science be taught in a uniform manner across educational institutions, so that the population does not become segregated.
Chhatra Federation placed 15-point demands for primary education and 14-point demands for higher education at the rally .
The leftist student front’s demands for primary education include the shutting down of coaching centres at schools and colleges, reasonable tuition fees, cancellation of the Primary Education Completion (PEC) and Junior School Certificate (JSC) examinations, the establishment of anti-sexual harassment cells at all educational institutions, and the printing of textbooks distributed for free at local presses.
Chhatra Federation’s demands for higher education include the immediate holding of students’ union elections at all educational institutions, the shutdown of programs in the evening in educational areas, higher education in the mother tongue, and accommodation facilities for all students.
Chhatra Federation Organizing Secretary Moshiur Rahman Richard, Office Secretary MH Riad, Dhaka University chapter President Umme Habiba Benojir, General Secretary Ashraful Hoque Istiak, and Central member and Narayanganj district unit President Shuvo Dev also attended the rally, among others.