National University students continue protests over deferred exam

Students from National University (NU) continued to protest on Sunday in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, demanding that their examinations go ahead.

A group of students was seen demonstrating in front of the National Press Club at around 11am to overturn the government decision to hold all ongoing exams at the university level after May 24.

Sunday marked the last day of a three-day ultimatum set by the NU students on February 25, as the countrywide protests began, over this issue.

AK Al Amin, a third-year student of Siddheswari College, said: "We have no program tomorrow [Monday]. But we will soon announce what will be our course of action next.”

Their demonstration was interrupted following a series of clashes between the members of BNP’s student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and law enforcers in the same place.

The Chhatra Dal activists were trying to hold a rally in protest against the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed and demanding Digital Security Act (DSA) be abolished.

Also Read- Chhatra Dal, police clash near Press Club

Later, when police brought the situation under control, NU students returned in front of the National Press Club and resumed demonstrating at around 1pm.

Students from various colleges also joined NU students in their protest where they demanded that the authorities publish a fresh examination schedule from late February or early March and unconditional release of students detained by the police during Thursday’s protest.

Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Mina Al Amin, a student of NU who took part in the demonstration, said: “We are protesting against the hasty decision taken by our education minister. We want this move to be reverted and the exams to continue.”

Earlier, Education Minister Dipu Moni said: "Public and private universities will resume on May 24 and residential halls will be reopened on May 17. Online classes will continue but no examination will be held before the reopening of the universities."

The ongoing fourth year and master's examinations of the NU were scheduled to be held in March, but it was not possible for the administrations concerned to conduct the exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Another NU student named Sagar said: "Master’s students of sessions 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 are yet to be able to sit for their final exams. 

“The government, with the decision to postpone the exams, has jeopardized the lives of the NU students."

Also Read- National University: Protests flare up demanding continuation of exams

They urged NU authorities to complete the exams by March while maintaining all the necessary health safety guidelines to be safe from coronavirus.

The demonstrating students warned that if an embarrassing situation arises as a result of “not accepting their logical demands,” then NU administration and law enforcement agencies will have to take the responsibilities for the outcome.

Last week, NU published a revised schedule for all postponed examinations following the government’s instructions amid protests.

It said that all the postponed examinations would be held as per the revised schedule from May 24, which is published on the website – www.nu.ac.bd.

The tests include the second-year exams for the 2019 Degree Pass and Certificate Course, Masters final examination for the 2018 session, and all other professional courses.

Also, the first-year admission test process for the 2020-2021 session is to begin on June 8, 2021. NU authorities had called upon students to prepare accordingly.