Polytechnic students announce nationwide railway blockade over unmet demands

Polytechnic students across Bangladesh have announced a nationwide railway blockade scheduled for Thursday after their six-point demands were not met by the authorities.

Zubair Patwary, a representative of the Technical Students' Movement, made the announcement at the Tejgaon Satrasta intersection in Dhaka on Wednesday evening (April 16).

He said that despite a meeting with the Director General of the Directorate of Technical Education, Shoaib Ahmad Khan, and Dhaka Polytechnic Principal Md. Mostafizur Rahman, the authorities had failed to address the students' concerns.

"We had a meeting with the concerned authorities, but we could not reach an agreement. Our demands were not accepted in writing. Therefore, we are left with no choice but to announce a railway blockade tomorrow as part of our movement," said Patwary.

He urged polytechnic students from across the country to support the protest and ensure its success. Earlier in the day, students from Dhaka Polytechnic Institute began their protest by blocking the Tejgaon Satrasta intersection at around 10 a.m.

The students’ six-point demands include:

1. Cancellation of 30% Promotion Quota: The students demand the cancellation of the 30 percent promotion quota for craft instructors to junior instructor posts. They are also calling for the High Court to annul the verdict allowing the illegal promotion of craft instructors and for a revision of controversial appointment rules. Furthermore, they seek the dismissal of those involved in these appointments.

2. Curriculum Reforms: The students want the cancellation of the age limit for enrolling in the Diploma in Engineering course. They are advocating for a four-year standard curriculum modeled after global best practices, with academic activities gradually conducted in English.

3. Legal Action Against Misuse of Diploma Engineers: The students demand legal action against government, autonomous, and self-governing institutions that appoint diploma engineers to lower-level positions, despite these being reserved for those who have completed assistant engineer-level education.

4. Banning Non-Technical Recruitment in Technical Posts: The students call for a legal ban on the recruitment of non-technical personnel in technical sector positions such as director, assistant director, examination controller, and principal. They are also demanding immediate recruitment notices for positions that require technical education and skilled teachers or lab assistants.

5. Formation of Ministry and Commission: The students are urging the government to establish an independent ‘Technical and Higher Education Ministry’ and to form a ‘Technical Education Reform Commission’ to oversee the sector.

6. Establishment of a Technical University: The students demand the creation of a high-quality technical university for polytechnic and monotechnic graduates. They also seek the establishment of temporary campuses and academic programs under DUET at the four engineering colleges currently under construction in Narail, Natore, Khagrachari, and Thakurgaon, ensuring 100% admission for polytechnic and monotechnic students starting next session.