HSC protesters rally near PM’s programme venue at DU

Students being examinee for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations marched towards the University of Dhaka on Tuesday to demand the resignation of Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, as frustration continued over the decision to hold examinations despite widespread flooding and heavy rainfall.

The demonstrators began their procession from the Science Lab intersection after staging a protest against the ongoing examination schedule.

They said many candidates had faced significant difficulties travelling to examination centres because of persistent rain, waterlogging and flooding in several parts of the country.

The march moved towards the University of Dhaka, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was attending a youth-focused event, ‘Youth, Startup and Promising Bangladesh', for launching the ‘National Startup and Entrepreneurship Platform’.

However, law enforcement officers stopped the protesters near the university’s Mall area, preventing them from advancing towards the programme venue.

A large police presence was deployed in the area to maintain security. Members and leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal were also seen nearby while the protest was taking place.

Tensions briefly rose when a small number of demonstrators became involved in a minor confrontation with police. The situation was brought under control within a short time, and there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage.

During the programme, PM met and exchanged views with students on youth development and entrepreneurship.

The protesting examinees said their march was intended to draw attention to what they described as the hardships created by continuing the HSC examinations during severe weather conditions.

They argued that many students had struggled to reach examination centres safely because of flooded roads and prolonged rainfall.

The demonstrations reflect growing concern among some HSC candidates over the examination schedule, with students continuing to urge the authorities to reconsider the decision and pressing for the resignation of the education minister.