Students Demand Education Minister’s Resignation in Kurigram Protest

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees in Kurigram staged a human-chain protest demanding the immediate resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haq Milan. The demonstration was organised in response to the current examination schedule, errors in question papers, and severe disruptions caused by recent torrential rainfall.

Gathering in front of the Kurigram Press Club on Tuesday, 14 July, the protesting students chanted various slogans and articulated their grievances. The demonstrators carried placards bearing messages such as “No politics with education” and “We demand the Education Minister’s resignation”. They argued that the authorities are conducting the examinations without considering the severe hardships faced by the candidates.

Several student representatives addressed the crowd during the protest. Among the speakers were Mostafa Sarkar and Shorif Ahmed, both HSC candidates from the science and humanities departments at Kurigram Government College, alongside Sakib Al Hasan, a humanities student from Kurigram Collectorate School and College.

The primary grievance centred on the logistical nightmare created by recent adverse weather conditions. Protesters pointed out that heavy downpours over the last few days have led to extensive waterlogging in key metropolitan areas, including Dhaka and Chittagong, whilst rural regions face rising floodwaters. Consequently, many candidates had to navigate flooded roads and muddy terrains in heavy rain to reach their examination centres. In several low-lying areas, students were forced to travel by boat. The demonstrators maintained that this caused immense physical and psychological strain, severely impacting their performance.

The students contended that the examinations should have been suspended until the flood situation improved and weather conditions became favourable. They alleged that the Education Minister completely ignored the ground realities when deciding to proceed with the pre-determined schedule.

Issues regarding academic assessment were also raised during the demonstration. Protesters alleged that the Physics First Paper examination contained notable errors and questioned the overall quality of the assessment. They urged the authorities to identify those responsible for compiling the flawed question paper and bring them to justice through a formal investigation. The candidates clarified that whilst they do not oppose challenging assessments, the questions must align strictly with the approved syllabus.

Furthermore, the demonstrators called for an immediate and practical solution for the candidates who failed to appear for their exams on 13 July due to the hostile weather. They demanded that the education board display compassion and offer a fair alternative assessment for those affected by the environmental disruptions.