Frustration grows among DU communication disorder department students

Students of the Department of Communication Disorder under the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Dhaka (DU) are increasingly falling into a state of despair, according to Assistant Professor Sharmin Ahmed, Chairperson of the department. She attributes this situation to complications within the legal framework.

She explained that according to the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Act 2018, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree is required to practice speech and language therapy. The law, enacted in 2018, stipulates that only a BSc degree in the relevant field qualifies someone to work as a “Speech and Language Therapist.” However, students of DU’s Department of Communication Disorder graduate with a Bachelor of Social Science (BSS) and a Master of Social Science (MSS), making them ineligible to practice professionally, even after completing their academic education and a one-year internship.

“Our students aspire to become speech therapists after completing their honors and master's degrees—they are qualified for it,” said Sharmin Ahmed in an interview with Views Bangladesh. “They study anatomy and physiology as well. But the legal constraints deny them the opportunity. If they attempt to provide services, it would be deemed illegal, and they could face arrest.”

She added that institutions such as Asha’r Alo Chattogram, Proyas, Handicap International, and Inner Circle Pvt. Ltd. specifically require a BSc degree in their job announcements. As a result, DU graduates with a BSS degree are excluded from these opportunities, leaving them disheartened.

Sharmin Ahmed also alleged that the current law was influenced by vested interests, including organizations like the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). “Certain organizations, particularly CRP, have long harbored a hostile attitude toward our department. This is part of a calculated conspiracy—some groups want to maintain a monopoly in this sector. Our students provide high-quality services at a lower cost, which some cannot tolerate,” she said.

She further claimed that individuals like Fida Al Shams (President of the Bangladesh Speech and Language Therapist Society), Syed Mehedi Hasan (former Deputy Registrar of the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council), Sohrab Hossain (Executive Director of CRP), and Shamim Ahmed (General Secretary of the Bangladesh Occupational Therapy Association) were instrumental in pushing this legislation.

Among them, she alleged, Syed Mehedi Hasan expedited the passage of the law before his retirement to ensure that no one without a BSc degree could enter the profession.

When contacted, Fida Al Shams told Views Bangladesh, “I’m associated with a professional organization, but I didn’t single-handedly make the law—the government did. The Speech and Language Therapy course has been offered under the Faculty of Medicine since 2007. The law clearly states that to become a speech and language therapist, one must complete a five-year program: four years of academic study and one year of internship. At a reputed institution like DU, the course is being run outside this legal framework, which is a threat to healthcare professionalism. We presented this law to the court in 2018, arguing that students with BSS or BA degrees should not be eligible to apply. The court ruled accordingly that year.”

He added, “We have no enmity with any institution. Our only concern is to protect the integrity of our profession.”

Despite having submitted a letter with five demands to the Ministry of Social Welfare, the department has yet to receive a response.

“They claim that no one without a BSc degree can enter this profession, but in reality, BSS graduates are often more effective in monitoring patients with neurological disorders,” Sharmin Ahmed argued.

Sadi Mohammad, a second-year student, said, “Previously, CRP was the sole provider of this degree. Now, they are trying to block any graduates from our department from being certified. They fear our presence will hurt their market value.”

Students argue that globally, BSc, BSS, and BA degrees are equally recognized, but in Bangladesh, only technical degrees are given priority, which they see as unjust.

Labeling the 2018 Rehabilitation Council Act as discriminatory, students also noted that no one from DU’s Department of Communication Disorders was included in the law’s drafting process. Their four-point demand includes amending the discriminatory provisions, restructuring the 32-member council, withdrawing the case against the department, and halting all certification or policy approvals until their demands are met.

They point out that universities such as Ohio, Iowa, Maryland, Wayne State, and St. John’s in the USA; the University of Cologne in Germany; and Phoenicia University in Lebanon all offer Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in speech and language therapy. “So why should a department of a prestigious institution like the University of Dhaka be left behind?” they ask.

Students see two potential solutions: either convert the department’s BSS program into a BSc one—though this is not feasible under the Dhaka University Ordinance of 1973—or amend the law through the Ministry of Social Welfare. The alternative, filing a writ petition with the High Court, is a costly process.

However, Sharmin Ahmed has assured students that the department will offer all possible financial support if they decide to take legal action.