Students Take to Streets Demanding HSC Exam Postponement, Announce Education Bhaban Siege Programme

PNN News Desk | Dhaka

Students appearing for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations staged protests in the capital on Wednesday, demanding the postponement of ongoing exams amid continuous rainfall, waterlogging, and adverse weather conditions.

The protesters marched towards Education Bhaban announcing a programme to besiege the building, demanding the suspension of the examinations, a second chance for students affected by the disaster situation, and the resignation of Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon.

After noon on Wednesday (July 15), the students took position at Science Lab intersection in the capital and blocked the road. As a result, traffic movement on surrounding roads came to a standstill. Later, they started marching towards Education Bhaban.

The students said they planned to reach Education Bhaban from Science Lab through New Market and the Dhaka University campus.

During the protest, students were seen chanting various slogans. The area echoed with slogans including, “One demand, one point — Milon must resign,” “Our rightful demands must be accepted,” and “Action, action, direct action.”

The protesting students alleged that many examinees across different parts of the country failed to reach their examination centres on time due to continuous rain and waterlogging. Some students managed to reach the centres despite extreme difficulties but could not sit for exams in a normal environment.

They demanded that the HSC examinations be postponed until the disaster situation becomes completely normal. They also demanded a fresh examination opportunity for students who were affected by the adverse weather conditions.

The students further alleged that holding examinations under such circumstances was an injustice to them. They demanded the resignation of the education minister, holding the government responsible for the situation.

Meanwhile, similar protest programmes were reported not only in Science Lab area of Dhaka but also in Uttara and several districts across the country. Law enforcement personnel were seen deployed in the affected areas to maintain the situation.