7 DU-affiliated colleges to hold exams as scheduled

The Ministry of Education has agreed to hold the ongoing examinations of seven government colleges affiliated with Dhaka University (DU) as were scheduled earlier.

The decision was made in an emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the face of the students' protest for the second-straight day against a postponement of examinations.

However, residential dormitories of these colleges will remain shut during the examinations, public relations officer of the Education Ministry Abul Khair told the media.

Students of the seven DU-affiliated colleges began staging a demonstration on Wednesday morning for the second day by blocking roads in the capital’s Nilkhet intersection.

The blockade created heavy traffic congestion in the area causing immense suffering to commuters, including office-goers.

Hundreds of students joined the protests and were chanting various slogans demanding that their examinations be allowed to continue, and asked the authorities concerned to take immediate steps in this regard.

They threatened to continue their protests until the authorities change their decision.

On Tuesday, principals of the seven colleges in a meeting chaired by DU Pro-VC (education) Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, chief coordinator of the seven colleges, postponed all of their examinations until May 17, citing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Right after the decision being made, students of the colleges on Tuesday blocked the Nilkhet intersection demanding cancellation of the decision.

Earlier in the day, the government decided to reopen the residential halls of all universities on May 17 and resume classes on May 24. The Ministry of Education issued a directive to keep all the examinations postponed till then.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni said, "Before reopening, the teachers, students and employees will be vaccinated."