Following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, pressure has intensified on the heads of educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and schools, who took an anti-student stance during the recent quota reform movement, to resign from their posts.

In response to student demands, the vice-chancellors of at least 12 public universities have voluntarily resigned. Students have also issued ultimatums for the resignations of the vice-chancellors of Chittagong University and Jagannath University, as well as the principals of Government Bangla College and Motijheel Ideal College.

On Sunday, Jagannath University students gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the resignation of their vice-chancellor. By Sunday evening, Vice-Chancellor Sadeka Halim stepped down from her position. Similarly, the principal and two senior teachers of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College resigned under student pressure.

Since the downfall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5, the vice-chancellors of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Cumilla University, and Begum Rokeya University have all resigned voluntarily. Additionally, the vice-chancellors of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, and National University have also stepped down. The chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) has resigned as well.

Further resignations include the principals of Government Titumir College, Kabi Nazrul Islam College, and Suhrawardy College in Dhaka, who stepped down under student pressure. These institutional heads are being targeted because they remained silent when students were attacked and killed during the quota reform protests, which later evolved into a broader movement.

There is still mounting pressure on the principals of Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, and Begum Badrunnesa Mohila College, who have yet to resign. On Sunday, students became vocal in demanding their resignation.

Sources reveal that Government Bangla College Principal SM Amirul Islam had opposed the quota reform movement, issuing a notice for students to withdraw their protests. When this failed, he sought assistance from Chhatra League leaders to suppress the students. On Sunday, students protested on the college campus, demanding Principal Amirul Islam’s resignation.

Meanwhile, Barishal University and Rajshahi University have banned student politics on their campuses. Additionally, officers and employees are calling for the resignation of the top three officials in the education administration: the director general of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), the chief engineer of the Education Engineering Department, and the chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). All three officials hold contract-based positions.

Since the fall of the previous government, the DSHE director general has not been attending the office, and the other two officials have been showing up only for attendance, resulting in a stagnation of important educational decisions.

BDST: 1342 HRS, AUG 12, 2024
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