Academics express mixed reactions
by Shamima Rita in Dhaka Tribune, Nov 24, 2023
In the midst of political turbulence and unrest in the country, the educational landscape finds itself in a challenging predicament. Due to the violent hartals and blockades, academic activities at many institutions, especially the annual examinations, have been severely disrupted.
Against this backdrop, students from 15 schools in Dhaka formed separate human chains on the streets on November 21, simultaneously demanding a safe environment at educational institutions. The heads of the institutions, teachers, and staff joined hands in solidarity.
The involvement of school students in such protests related to politics—organized by teachers—has created much hype among parents and academics, who have offered mixed reactions to this event.
This reporter has found that an association of schools and colleges based in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar took the initiative. They sat several times to make the event successful.
Opposition political parties, including the BNP, have been organizing tough programs such as blockades and hartals since October 29, demanding the government’s resignation. Over a dozen people have been killed, and hundreds of vehicles, mainly public transport, have been set ablaze or vandalized in Dhaka and elsewhere during the period.
Asked about the issue of simultaneous protests, the institution heads explained that they had organized the human chains following requests from parents, who were seeking guidance on what they could do during blockades or hartals when violence and arson attacks occur.
During the human chain, students displayed placards with various demands, including “We want to take part in exams on time” and “We want a suitable educational life and attend our institutions regularly”.
One of the protesting students said: “We want to go to institutions safely. I want to finish the final exam on time. But we are afraid to go out on the streets due to the blockades and hartals.”
Teachers participating in the human chains emphasized that parents were hesitant to send students to schools and colleges due to the violent political programs. “The final exams have already started in many schools. Above all, we want to finish the exams on time and keep the students stress-free,” a teacher said at the human chain.
Prior to this event, students from various schools and colleges had formed human chains at locations like Green Road, Manik Mia Avenue, Farmgate, and the Agargaon Passport Office intersection, protesting the disruption of educational programs caused by strikes and blockades.
Asked about the appropriateness of involving school students in such human chains, Abdul Mannan, the headmaster of Tejgaon Adarsha School and College, said: “Certainly, involving school students in such human chains is not ideal. It may impact their mental health. However, we had no choice but to stand with the students in forming the human chain. They participated voluntarily to voice their concerns, and we joined to ensure their safety as their legal guardians. We did not include anyone from the primary level; those who participated did so of their own accord.”
Nurul Islam, head of Nazneen School and College, said: “We did not instruct anyone to form human chains. Parents expressed concerns about sending their children to school. Given the prevailing political issues, we discussed the matter and supported some institutions in organizing human chains. Our involvement was limited to that. We had no other directives.”
Ali Hossain, principal of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Adarsha Women’s College, said: “We want students to be able to participate in exams and classes safely. The students initiated a peaceful human chain, and we stood with them for their safety.”
In contrast, Siddiqur Rahman, former director of the Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University, deemed the event immoral.
He said: “It is definitely unethical. The nation does not expect this type of activity from the authorities of educational institutions—using students to protect the interests of a group.”
Dhaka University Sociology Department Chairperson Dr Sadeka Halim viewed the protest positively.
She said: “If students can lead protests like the quota movement and road safety movement, then forming a human chain to address their hardships during blockades and hartals is also justified. Their academic activities are hampered due to these disruptions. It’s necessary for them to voice their concerns.”
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/331998/behind-the-protests-by-students-from-15-schools
