The ruling Awami League student front’s decision to involve high-schoolers in student politics has raised eyebrows and triggered debate on the social media.
Numerous Facebook users from various backgrounds, debated over Bangladesh Chhatra League’s decision. Some were in favour of it while others opposed the move.
The main topic of discussion appeared to have been whether there was a need for Chhatra League committees at high school level.
Many questioned whether the student front’s move deserved such fierce backlash given that some other political parties already have prominent presence at schools.
Chhatra League on Tuesday decided to form school-level committees across the country with the stated aim of spreading the ideology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman among schoolchildren.
In a Facebook status, journalist Arif Mahmud asked whether the people wanted their 12-14 year-old children become involved in student politics. He requested to protest against the move, saying the government would listen if everyone raised their voices together.
After a slew of comments criticising the Chhatra League decision, online activist Omi Rahman Pial pointed out that while Jamaat-e-Islami student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir and Student Union had presence at school level.
Also Read- Chhatra League to form committees at high schools
He noted that school committees were present since the founding of Chhatra League. These committees aimed at nurturing a politically conscious generation. He pointed out that Bangabandhu, too, had gotten involved in politics in his school days.
Pial wrote that people, who believed student politics was all about fighting over tenders, extortion, and violence, should enrich their political knowledge. He said the root of the problem was being addressed.
Ekattor TV Director (news) Syed Ishtiaque Reza supported the Awami League student front’s move.
He, too, pointed out that Shibir and leftist parties had presence at the school level and asked, what was wrong with Chhatra League having school committees?
Syed said there could be separate discussions on changing the nature of student politics.
Naznin Munni, a mother and journalist, said she was shell-shocked after learning about the Chhatra League’s decision.
In a Facebook post, she lashed out at the state of education, question paper leak and the huge educational expense. “Does my child have to take part in student politics now?” she asked when the children already have so much on their plates.
Roughly translated, part of her post reads: “I bring up my child through difficulties. How much did you contribute in his rearing that he will be bound to follow your orders?
“This may sound like a frivolous discussion to you but for me and my child, it is about life and death.”
Also Read- Chhatra League’s planned school committees cause alarm
Commenting on her post, journalist Saiful Hasan Riku said that everyone should be part of politics as true citizens and patriots. He went on to blame the current state of politics on people being politically apathetic.
He said that the current state of politics should be changed through politics and the practice should start from adolescence. Riku said he understood the reasons for Munni’s concern but added that it, too, could only be dispelled by people-oriented, benevolent and humane politics.
Leftist political activist Khojista Begum Jonaky wrote on Facebook that Chhatra League forming committees at schools was nothing new. She said people fear such plan since there are chances of student bodies abusing power.
She also said that development of students in schools can be promoted in various ways, such as with leadership training, book reading, and creative writing, among others.
In her long post, she pointed out that Bangladesh was the signatory of various local and international child development policies. The children cannot be used in politics for any reason.This article was first published on Bangla Tribune
Thursday, June 04, 2026
