students
Floods in the northeast throw over 4.55 lakh students in Sylhet div into uncertainty
The monsoon floods that ravaged the Sylhet region have turned the studies of over 4.55 students in 1522 institutions uncertain as they lost their books and educational materials amid no sign of immediate reopening of their classes.
The authorities are compiling a report on the extent of damages caused by the worst floods to hit the region in living memory this month, according to Prof Shahedul Khabir Chwodhury, director of Department of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Sylhet.
Read:Another spell of Flood looms over northeastern region
Reports received from the evaluation wing of DSHE, 100 educational institutions in the flood-hit upazilas under Sylhet division can be operated fully while 100 can reopen partially.
Besides, over 500 educational institutions remained closed in the flood-hit areas while 450 others are still used as shelter homes for flood victims, Shahedul said.
He said the text books of many students have been washed away in the flood-affected areas.
The examinees of Secondary School Examination (SSC) examinations are worried about sitting for the exams as flood waters damaged their books.
Tofazzal Hossain, a student of Salutikor High School in Sadar upazila, said “My books were washed away by the flood water and I have failed to collect replacement from the local school as they have no extra copies.”
Shihab Ahmed, a class VII student and resident of Rayergaon area of Sadar upazila, said “Flood water entered into our houses on June 17 and I am yet to collect new books and copies. When we returned home on June 24 and I found all of my books and copies damaged.”
About 80 per cent areas in Sylhet districts were flooded while over 21 lakh people got stranded in the second wave of the deluge on June 15.
21 DU students among 100 stranded people rescued in Sunamganj
Around 100 people, including 21 students of Dhaka University, who were trapped by flood in a restaurant during a visit to Tanguar haor, have been rescued by the army from Chhatak upazila of Sumanganj.
Inter-Service Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) issued a media release in this regard Sunday morning.
The rescued people have been brought to Sylhet, it said.
Earlier on Saturday night, a trawler rescued them from the restaurant but it went out of order in Chhatak, leaving them stranded there.
Three days ago, the students went to Tanguar Haor in Sunamganj on an excursion.
The students and some others took shelter in Pansi restaurant when the flood situation of the district turned serious on Thursday.
READ: 21 DU students stuck in flood-hit eatery at Sunamganj
Stranded Shoaib Ahmed, a third-year student of the Mass Communication and Journalism department sent a SOS saying, "We are in dire need of food and drinking water and there is no toilet facility here. Here, most of our phone is out of battery and not working properly due to poor network.
Speaking on behalf of the group he called for their immediate rescue.
Another student of the group Usama Rafid, posted on his Facebook timeline 16 hours back that "We all have some stories to tell. From a random tour to survival thriller."
Bangladeshi students in Hungary urged to contribute to Bangladesh’s dev
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the Bangladesh students studying in various Hungarian Universities under the Hungaricum Stipendium Programme for engaging themselves in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
While addressing the Bangladeshi students at the Mathius Corvinus Collegium in Budapest on Monday, the Foreign Minister suggested the students to be inquisitive, innovative and passionate for the greater welfare of the humankind.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Deputy State Secretary for International Training Programs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Miklos Lengyel and Bangladesh Ambassador to Hungary Muhammad Abdul Muhith also addressed the students.
Momen highlighted the commitments of the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building knowledge-based developed and prosperous nation imbued with modern and technological knowledge.
He underscored the importance of skilling up youths with appropriate knowledge and skills and suggested the students to avail the numerous opportunities in the field of science, technology and innovation to face the domestic and local challenges.
Also read:FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar
While stating the transformation of high-tech industries in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister suggested the students to equip them with ideas and innovations and advised them to work hard to fulfill the dream of Bangabandhu to make Bangladesh as Sonar Bangla.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the government of Hungary for providing 140 full scholarships to Bangladeshi students annually for pursuing graduation, post-graduation and PhDs in renowned Hungarian universities under the Hungaricum Stipendium Programme since 2019.
Amodini Pal punished students for not wearing uniform, not over hijab: Probe report
An administrative probe body formed over rumors about a teacher beating up students for wearing hijab at Daul Barbakpur High School in Naogaon’s Mahadebpur submitted a report after investigation on Monday.
The committee has found evidence that some teachers and members of the management committee of the school had spread rumors against assistant headmistress Amodini Pal due to internal conflicts.
The head of the committee Abdul Maleque, upazila livestock officer, along with two other members submitted the report to Mohadebpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman around 8pm.
UNO Mizanur Rahman said the committee did not find proof of students being punished for wearing hijab.
The report said,”The committee believes that the school's assistant headmaster Amodini Pal and physical education teacher Badiul Alam have beaten the students on April 6 because of their school dress. Due to the internal dilemma of the school, a group attempted to divert the incident toward the hijab issue”.
The inquiry committee has recommended legal action against those who have spread the rumor.
The committee also recommended taking legal action against some 150 to 200 people who attacked the school on April 7 triggered by the rumor.
UNO Mizanur Rahman said, “Head teacher of the school Dharani Kanta Barman only show-caused Amodini Pal for the incident which seemed intentional to the committee so it has recommended taking departmental action against him.”
READ: Hijab row: Naogaon school headteacher files GD accusing 150 anonymous people
The report also recommended taking departmental action against teacher Amodini Pal and teacher Badiul Alam for physically beating students in violation of government directives, he said.
Regarding identifying the people who spread the rumors, UNO Mizanur said,”Some people have been identified by the committee. Their names will be disclosed after taking legal actions.”
He said that the observations and recommendations made by the inquiry committee will be taken into account and action will be taken where necessary in this incident.
Earlier on April 6, Amodini Pal, assistant headmistress of the school allegedly beat 16-18 students in the 8th, 9th and 10th classes of the school around 11am for not wearing school uniforms.
Later, it turned into a "hijab" row and spread on social media.
Although some of the girls who got punished were wearing hijab, others who violated the uniform code without wearing hijab, and also some boys (who were dealt with by a different, male teacher), were at the receiving end of the teachers' punishment on the day.
Savar Govt College students protesting transport worker's behaviour
The students of Savar Government College are demonstrating in front of their college, protesting the attack on a fellow student by a transport worker. Makarias Das, Inspector of Savar Model Police Station, said a heated argument broke out between Yunus Kabir Selim, 18, a first year student of the college and son of Matiar Rahman of Palashbari in Ashulia, and a conductor of Welcome Paribahan over half- fare for students.
Also read: 6 RAB fakers held from Savar
Selim said he along with another friend boarded the bus from Palashbari Bus Stand, and one of his friends got on from Polli Bidyut office point. They paid Tk 30 instead of Tk 22. Despite identifying themselves as students, the bus conductor abused them physically and verbally. At one stage, Selim’s hand was cut against the windowpane of the bus. As soon as the news spread, the fellows of Selim and other students halted eight buses of Welcome Paribahan.
Also read:Protest against price hike: BNP men clash with police in Savar Later, a number of students of the college staged a sit-in in front of the police station demanding 'justice'. “Efforts are on to settle the issue,” said Inspector Makarias.
Female students stage demo at IU demanding resignation of hall provost
The residential students of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall of Islamic University demonstrated on the campus in Kushtia on Sunday night demanding resignation of the hall provost Professor Nilufa Akter Banu.
They demanded the resignation of the provost alleging that she misbehaved with the students who gave her several phone calls to get ambulance service.
Around 200 residential students of the hall staged a sit-in programme on the hall gate.
Campus sources said, Razia Sultana Hridi, a second year student of Folklore Studies department, also the residential student of hall, became sick at night and lost sense.
READ: IU officials continue work abstention
Other residential students gave several phone calls to the provost but she did not provide any facilities to them, the agitating students claimed.
One hour after the incident, the house tutor Shimul Roy went to the hall and sent the sick student to IU Central Hospital around 10:00pm.
The provost did not give them proper time in the hall and behaved ‘badly’ with the students when they gave her call about something, the agitating students alleged.
On information, a team of IU proctorial body went to the spot and tried to keep the situation under control but failed.
Later, IU pro-vice-chancellor Professor M Mahbubur Rahman, treasurer Professor M Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya and proctor Professor M Jahangir Hossain went to the hall and talked to the agitating students.
The students withdrew their demonstration at around 12:00am as the university authorities assured them of looking into the matter.
Provost Nilufa said, ‘A student gave me a phone call about a student getting sick. I asked them to inform the house tutor of the hall.
Then another student called me and told me about the ambulance. I said, how many times do you call on the same issue?
READ: In-person classes to resume at IU Tuesday
IU treasurer Professor M Alamgir Hossain Bhuiya said, they are trying to solve the issue by talking to the students.
Students block Nilkhet Intersection demanding 2nd chance in DU admission test
Some students have blocked Nilkhet intersection demanding the university authorities to allow them to sit for the entry test of Dhaka University for the 2nd time.
They started demonstration around 12.30 pm and them left for the Registrar Building of Dhaka University around 1:15pm.
Read:Protests held at DU over BSMRUST student attack
They held a sit-in programme in front of the Registrar Building to press home their demand.Tanvir ahmed, one of the students who joined the rally, said, "I was sick during the admission test of Dhaka University in 2020-21 session and that’s why I want a second chance in the admission test."Another student named Shohan Ahmed said that they are just asking the authorities to give students a 2nd chance. “If educational institutions like medical college can allow students to sit for 2nd time entry test, then why DU won't allow us?”
Covid-19: Vaccination campaign for Qawmi Madrasha students begins
The vaccination campaign for Qawmi Madrasha students began on Sunday.
Additional director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof. Meerjady Sabrina Flora and director of vaccination campaign Dr Shamsul Haque inaugurated the programme at Jamia Nurani Mohila Madrasha in Mirpur in the capital .
“The government is conducting the vaccination campaign successfully and those who have not received the jab yet are being included in the campaign, “said Sabrina.
Besides, director of the vaccination campaign Dr Shamsul Haque, said, “The campaign to vaccinate Madrasha students began across the country through the vaccination of Qwami madrasha students and this programme be expanded gradually.”
Earlier on January 10, Education Minister Dipu Moni said all the students, aged above 12 or above, will be vaccinated with at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine by January 31 so that they could attend schools and colleges.
The education minister said 48,19,554 students have been vaccinated against Covid so far.
“Those who have not been vaccinated yet will join classes online after January 12 and they will be allowed to attend classes after receiving the vaccine,” said the minister at a press briefing at the secretariat.
After a long closure due to the pandemic, the students of schools and colleges in Bangladesh returned to their classrooms on September 12 last year.
Amid the growing concern over the Coronavirus’ new Omicron variant, the government on January 13 imposed 11-point restrictions.
The government has extended the period of the existing restrictions on people’s movement and other activities until February 21 and imposed two new ones considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
READ: Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5
These restrictions will remain in force from February 7 to 21, said a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on February 3.
Besides, in-person classes of schools, colleges and equivalent educational institutions will remain suspended during this period, said the notification.
READ: Canada PM tests positive for Covid, rips anti vaccine demo
SUST stalemate: Students’ virtual meeting with minister brings no solution yet
Although there was an hour-long virtual meeting between Education Minister Dipu Moni and protesting students of SUST early Sunday, no solution is in sight yet to break the long standoff on the campus.
After the meeting, the students who are on a hunger strike since Wednesday demanding resignation of Vice Chancellor Fariduddin Ahmed remained stuck to their previous decision not to break the fast until he steps down, representatives of the dissenting students told UNB.
They claimed that no discussion was held at the meeting over the VC’s removal or sending him on leave.
The students said they want to continue the discussion but they will not break the fast. They will brief reporters this afternoon, if everything goes well, they added.
Dipu Moni suggested the students submit their demands in a written form and then she will go for the next step.
READ: SUST unrest: Resolution a Zoom call away?
The virtual meeting was held in presence of a delegation from Awami League, led by its central organising secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel.
Briefing reporters at 2:30 am after the meeting, Shafiul Alam said 23 of the students have already fallen sick and the number will rise further if they continue it.
The minister assured the students of resolving the crisis and requested them to end the hunger strike as she is ready to hear their problems, Alam said.
Shahriar Abedin, Apurbo, Mir Rana, Sabbir, Umar Faruk, Yasir Sarkar, among others, joined the meeting on behalf of the students.
On Saturday, the minister held a meeting with a delegation of teachers from SUST at her residence at 6:05pm when she urged the dissenting students to sit with her for talks to resolve the current standoff.
Earlier in the day, the students brought out a symbolic coffin procession on the campus. Around 8pm, they lit candles at Golchattar as part of their protests.
Meanwhile, 17 of the 24 students – already on hunger strike since Wednesday afternoon – were hospitalised.
READ: 17 students still at hospitals as SUST unrest continues
On Friday, Education Minister Dipu Moni talked to the students and said she wants a solution to the crisis as soon as possible.
On Monday, the students wrote an open letter to President Abdul Hamid, chancellor of the university, demanding the immediate removal of VC Farid Uddin Ahmed.
The students also turned down the notice of shutting down the university for an indefinite period and the directive to leave their dormitories.
Currently, the students are staying on the campus.
SUST was supposed to shut down following a clash on the campus between police and the protesting students on January 16. The students were asked to leave the dormitories by 12pm the next day.
24 SUST students go on hunger strike
Twenty-four students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) went on hunger strike unto death on Wednesday demanding the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation while some teachers staged protests against the students’ ‘indecent remarks’ about the VC
The students begun the hunger strike around 3pm in front of the residence of the VC as he didn’t not step down today as per their ultimatum.
READ: SUST students threaten fast-unto-death if V-C doesn't resign
The students said they will continue their hunger strike until the VC resigns.
Earlier on Tuesday night, the students set a deadline for the vice-chancellor to resign by 12 pm. They threatened that they will resort to hunger strike unto death if he doesn’t step down by the deadline.