HSC Students Besiege Dhaka Education Board Over Three Demands

HSC students demanding the resignation of the Education Minister and fulfilment of two other key demands have moved their protest from the busy Science Lab intersection to the premises of the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. On Tuesday (14 July) afternoon, hundreds of students gathered in front of the board office and staged a demonstration, raising slogans in support of their demands.

The latest action came after a road blockade at Science Lab earlier in the day. From the morning, protesting students took position at the Science Lab intersection in the capital. Around 11:30 am, they blocked the road connecting Dhanmondi and New Market, bringing traffic movement in the area to a standstill.

The blockade caused severe disruption on one of Dhaka’s busiest routes. Long queues of vehicles formed on both sides of the road, with buses, private cars, CNG-powered auto-rickshaws and other modes of transport remaining stuck for a prolonged period. Commuters heading to workplaces, educational institutions and other destinations faced significant difficulties due to the congestion.

After ending the road blockade, the students marched towards the Dhaka Education Board office and reached the premises at around 2:30 pm. They then began a sit-in protest in front of the building, continuing their calls for the Education Minister’s resignation.

Security personnel were deployed around the education board office to maintain order and prevent any untoward situation. Police officials remained present at the site while monitoring the situation and attempting to ensure that the demonstration remained peaceful.

As part of an effort to open communication with the protesters, officials from the education board requested that a representative from the students enter the office for discussions. However, the students declined the proposal, saying they wanted direct decisions regarding their demands rather than discussions through a single representative.

Maruf Hasan, a student of Dhaka Ideal College, said the way students had been treated was unacceptable. He argued that the contributions and concerns of students should not be disregarded and reiterated that their primary demand was the resignation of the Education Minister. He also called for the appointment of a person who would be more supportive of students and responsive to their concerns.

Students from several institutions under the Dhaka Education Board, including Dhaka College, City College, Ideal College, Dhaka Commerce College and Tejgaon College, joined the protest. Demonstrators said their movement was aimed at ensuring that issues affecting students receive proper attention and that a more student-friendly environment is created within the education system.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police Md Mahfuzur Rahman of the Chawkbazar Zone under the Lalbagh Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said the demands raised by the students were not directly related to the education board. However, the students had chosen the board premises as the venue for their protest. He said police were trying to convince them to leave the area peacefully, but the students continued their sit-in.

The protest has disrupted normal movement in the surrounding areas, adding pressure to already congested city roads. Authorities are continuing communication with the students in an effort to find a peaceful resolution. The next course of action will largely depend on how the relevant authorities respond to the students’ demands.