Polytechnic students protested in Rajshahi on six-point demand 

Representative: Md. Sohail Rana Rajshahi Division Head 

As part of the central programme, a protest rally was held in Rajshahi on the initiative of Karigi Chhatra Andolan, Bangladesh. The general students of Shalbagan Rajshahi Polytechnic Institute of the city held this protest program at 12 noon on Sunday. Meanwhile, the students raised six-point demands, including removing non-technical craft instructors and saving technical education.

Among the demands, there can be no manpower outside of technical education in the management of the technical sector. The Diploma Engineering course shall be of 4 years duration, and each semester (phase) shall be of full duration (6 months). Speedy removal of all craft instructors appointed in 2021 controversy from Technical Directorate and all Polytechnic Institutes. Besides, the recruitment of technical manpower for all vacant posts in the technical sector should be completed quickly. All the recruitment rules of the Directorate of Technical Education should be revised and reformed and no one can apply for the post of Deputy Assistant Engineer (Grade 10) except Diploma in Engineering and reserved for Deputy Assistant Engineers and equivalent posts for Diploma Engineers. Keeping in front of the challenges of the 4th industrial revolution, the curriculum of the diploma engineering education course should be adjusted with the aim of creating employment for diploma engineers in the labor market of the country and abroad.

The government announcement to grant equivalent status to B.Sc (Pass) Course – Diploma Engineering Course should be expedited. Students from government, private monotechnics, polytechnic institutes and TSC under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board were present in the program.