Security Tightened Ahead of Students’ Education Ministry March

Security was significantly reinforced across several key areas of Dhaka on Wednesday as law enforcement agencies prepared for a student-led programme titled ‘Long March to the Ministry of Education’, announced in protest over recent Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination controversies.

As a precautionary measure, one platoon of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) was deployed at Nilkhet intersection, while more than 50 police officers were positioned at the Science Laboratory intersection. The heightened security presence was observed at around 12:00 pm on Wednesday, reflecting official efforts to prevent any disruption to public order.

The planned demonstration coincided with the ongoing HSC and equivalent examinations, which were being held across 59 districts of the country. Student organisers had earlier announced that, after completing their examinations, participants in Dhaka would gather at several designated locations, including in front of the BNS Centre in Uttara, Shahbagh, Science Laboratory and Moghbazar, before marching towards the Ministry of Education.

Despite the announcement, no visible student gatherings emerged after the examinations concluded shortly after 1:00 pm. By around 2:00 pm, on-the-ground observations at Nilkhet, Science Laboratory and nearby areas found no signs of organised demonstrations. The additional police and BGB personnel deployed earlier in the day had also withdrawn from the area.

Traffic movement returned to normal throughout the afternoon, and no reports of violence, clashes or other untoward incidents were received from the affected locations.

The latest developments come amid continuing student unrest over the management of this year’s HSC examinations.

The controversy began on 13 July, when HSC and equivalent examinations were held across most of the country despite severe weather conditions, with only five districts in the Chattogram Division exempted. Images and videos circulated widely on social media showing examinees wading through waist-deep floodwater to reach examination centres. The scenes prompted widespread criticism from students, parents and education observers, who questioned the decision to proceed with the examinations under such circumstances.

Public dissatisfaction intensified after a recording of an alleged telephone conversation involving the Education Adviser spread across social media. In the recording, the adviser was accused of referring to examinees as “farm chickens”, a remark that drew strong criticism and fuelled further public anger. At around the same time, candidates and teachers also reported errors in the first paper of the Physics examination, raising fresh concerns about the quality and oversight of the examination process.

Student groups initially launched a movement based on an eight-point set of demands, which was later revised to a three-point agenda. Their principal demands included suspending the HSC examinations until conditions became favourable, awarding full marks for the erroneous Physics question, and securing a public apology from the Education Adviser over the controversial remarks.

On Tuesday night, during a parliamentary session, the Education Adviser expressed regret over the situation and announced that the first papers of Physics, Accounting and Logic would be retaken. The announcement was presented as an effort to address concerns surrounding the examination process.

However, the protesting students rejected the response, arguing that it failed to address broader issues of accountability. They have since maintained their demand for the Education Adviser’s resignation and announced fresh protest programmes, including the planned march to the Ministry of Education.

Although Wednesday’s announced march did not materialise as expected, the continued mobilisation efforts indicate that tensions surrounding the HSC examinations remain unresolved. With students insisting on further action and authorities closely monitoring developments, the situation continues to be watched carefully by both the government and the wider public.