International
Bangladesh: Schools Resume But Classes Are Empty – Army
The Bangladesh army’s public relations has announced that all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, would reopen on Tuesday.
However, the exact timeline for the resumption of classes remains unclear.
The reopening of educational institutions comes in the wake of significant political and social unrest in Bangladesh.
The initial closures were prompted by widespread student protests against the government’s quota system for government jobs.
The movement, which gained momentum in early 2024, saw thousands of students from various universities across the country taking to the streets to demand reforms.
The protests turned violent in many instances, leading to clashes between students and security forces. The situation escalated further following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Iran blamed on Israel.
This international incident added to the existing tensions, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability.
In response to the growing unrest and to ensure the safety of students, the government decided to close all educational institutions temporarily.
The closures were intended to prevent further violence and to provide time for the authorities to address the students’ demands and restore order.
Afsar Munna, a student at Dhaka University, on Tuesday morning, said that while the university halls had opened the previous day, no academic activities were taking place. “Ultimately there is no authority now,” he said, reflecting the uncertainty among students.
EDITOR’S PICK:
- PM Starmer Supports Police to Keep Streets Safe from Extremist
- Leave Lebanon on Any Available Ticket, U.S. Urges Citizens
- Ukraine Destroys Russian Submarine in Crimea
Similarly, a student from Jagannath University reported that although the campus had reopened, classes had not yet commenced.
A student from Rajshahi University, a key institution involved in the student quota reform protests, noted that the hall at his university had not opened. He added,
“I heard that today the students themselves will open the hall and enter,” indicating a possible student-led initiative to resume normalcy.
Tanveer Haseeb, a student from Jahangirnagar University, mentioned that many students had returned home and it would take time for them to come back to the capital, further delaying the return to regular academic activities.
Meanwhile, it is anticipated that the University Teachers Network, an organization comprising university teachers from various regions of Bangladesh, will hold a meeting today at 11:00 local time (06:00 GMT). This meeting is expected to address the situation and possibly provide more clarity on the resumption of academic activities.
The reopening of educational institutions comes amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy following significant unrest and protests. The situation remains fluid, and students and faculty alike are awaiting further instructions and developments.
CLICK TO WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
