Educational Stalemate:
The stalemate in the education sector caused by the student quota reform movement and the mass uprising has begun to ease. Schools have resumed educational activities, and the Ministry of Education has issued new curriculum guidelines. However, despite the interim government’s one-month tenure, higher education remains stagnant due to the resignation of vice-chancellors appointed during the previous administration.
University Appointments:
The appointment of new vice-chancellors has started, with eight universities including Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Jahangirnagar appointing new heads. The Ministry of Education and universities hope that this will restore momentum in higher education soon. However, the Ministry is struggling to find qualified candidates for these positions.
School Closures and Exam Cancellations:
Due to the quota reform protests, educational institutions were closed indefinitely from July 17. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, there was a surge in resignations among top university officials, including vice-chancellors. In some cases, heads of schools and colleges also resigned under pressure. Although institutions were initially set to reopen on August 7, attendance was sparse due to fear and uncertainty. Schools and colleges reopened and resumed classes from August 18, but there was confusion about the new curriculum.
Curriculum Changes:
On September 1, the Ministry of Education issued a circular detailing decisions on curriculum and textbooks. The new guidelines include reinstating subject divisions in the ninth grade and returning to traditional exams instead of a continuous assessment system. This reverses the previously planned curriculum changes which had replaced traditional exams with assessments based on skills and experience.
Exam Results Controversy:
On August 20, students protested inside the Bangladesh Secretariat, leading to the cancellation of postponed HSC and equivalent exams. The results will be based on SSC, JSC, and equivalent exam results for the subjects tested. This decision has faced significant backlash, with many students and observers criticizing the lack of exams as setting a poor precedent. Students who had previously protested against the exams argue that indefinite closures had caused mental stress and physical unpreparedness.
University Administration Issues:
Currently, there are 55 autonomous and government universities in the country, with 44 million students enrolled. Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, 46 vice-chancellors have resigned, along with many other senior officials. This mass resignation has caused administrative and academic disruptions in universities. Many universities are facing difficulties in functioning, with some vice-chancellors resigning but others still present. The Ministry of Education is finding it challenging to appoint suitable candidates for these positions and has received numerous applications and recommendations.
Appointment Challenges:
The Ministry’s strategy is to first appoint vice-chancellors to major universities and then to others. Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud, education adviser to the interim government, has noted difficulties in finding qualified candidates with high educational qualifications and administrative skills. Some universities, like Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, have faced controversies over new appointments due to past allegations against candidates.
Administrative Disruptions:
Alongside the vice-chancellor appointments, other administrative positions have also seen resignations. For instance, Rajshahi University’s administration faced disruptions with the resignation of 78 senior staff members. New appointments are being made, but the implementation of educational activities remains slow.
Ministerial Support:
In response to delays and issues with vice-chancellor appointments, the Ministry of Education has proposed that senior professors handle urgent financial and administrative matters in the interim.
Expert Opinions:
Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury of Dhaka University highlights that the lack of non-partisan individuals and the insufficient focus on research have led to a shortage of qualified candidates. He stresses the need for swift, non-partisan appointments with strong educational and research credentials.
