Students of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) in Barisal have enforced a complete shutdown to demand an immediate resolution to the ongoing teacher shortage.
They hoisted a banner declaring the shutdown at the gate of the college’s academic building at 10am on Monday.
Students Md Nayeem and Md Azim said that since the college’s inception, it has never had a full roster of teachers. The crisis has worsened due to retirements, teacher transfers, and other factors.
They highlighted that after August 5, three department heads were removed, leaving those departments entirely without teachers. Other departments are also facing severe shortages, directly affecting students' education.
Despite repeated appeals to the health advisor and the ministry, they said no action has been taken beyond assurances, forcing them to launch the protest.
Currently, 173 of the 334 teaching posts at the college are vacant, making it impossible to conduct regular classes.
Assistant Professor Dr Shihab Uddin, general secretary of the Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Teachers’ Association, said: “The ministry has been informed about the teacher shortage multiple times through the principal. The principal has also contacted the ministry, and we were told that steps are being taken to resolve the crisis. However, the situation remains unchanged, severely impacting students’ studies.”
He added that the teacher shortage is also disrupting academic activities and medical services. The teachers' association has submitted a memorandum to the principal, expressing solidarity with the students’ demands.
Professor Dr Mohammad Faizul Bashar, principal of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College, acknowledged the severity of the issue and said he supports the students’ movement.
“This crisis has reached a critical stage. In Phase 3, there are no specialist teachers in three key subjects, including community medicine. The microbiology and pathology departments are also without specialist teachers, and there are no faculty members for postgraduate programs,” he said.
He further added that in response to student demands, three teachers had been transferred. However, their transfer orders would be revoked, and vacancies would be filled.
“I have spoken to the director general, who is in touch with the ministry. I have also contacted the ministry myself, and they are looking at the issue positively. We have been assured that the transferred teachers will return soon and the vacancies will be addressed. I believe this crisis will be resolved shortly,” he said.
