Nahid urges students to go back to classes

Principals and headmasters of different colleges and schools in the capital yesterday expressed their concern over the safety of their students, saying that the pupils might be harassed by transport workers in the coming days.

They also urged the government to take initiatives to resume transport services so that students could attend their classes.

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They said this in two views-exchange meetings with Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid at International Mother Language Institute in the capital. The education ministry organised the meetings.

“We opine that three problems -- lack of faith, security and transport -- persist right now. The students who took part in the movement [for safe roads] are now afraid of taking to the streets. We should restore faith in them and their family members and give them security,” said Lt Col Md Akhtar Iqbal, principal of Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf Public College.

At this point, Sohorab Hossain, secretary of education ministry, interrupted him and said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had already given a directive that “no students be touched”.

“How do we give you assurance [of security] after the chief of the government says none of the students be harmed,” he said.

Iqbal said, “Even today [Sunday] when our students crossed the [Border Guard Bangladesh Headquarters] 4 no gate at Jhigatola, brick chips were hurled at them. Instantly, we brought them back to [headquarters] and sent them to their houses through different routes.”

Mentioning that students who come from distant parts of the capital are facing problems, he requested the government to take steps for resuming transport services.

Many headmasters, who were present in the meetings, also urged the authorities concerned to restart the service.

Sohorab said, “Traffic police has resumed their job; the situation is improving.”

“We've got all kind of assurances from you. We're pleased but it should be ensured that no enmity exists between transport workers and students. It should be ensured that transport workers do not misbehave with our students,” said Kaniz Mahmuda Akter, principal of Siddheswari Girls' College.

Around 500 teachers of over 50 schools and colleges took part in the views-exchange meetings.

Teachers also suggested introducing separate buses for the students, reduction in bus fare for students and counselling students when they would return to classes. 

Saying that students have successfully pointed out irregularities in the transport sector, the education minister urged the students to go back to their classes to retain their achievement.

“You are winner. You've successfully raised the issue of irregularities in the transport sector. Now, it's time for the government to take care of it,” he said.

Nahid said, “If you continue to stay on the streets, some vested quarters may try to use you for their interests and mar your achievement.”

Reiterating that the government has already begun working for the implementation of their nine-point demand, he asked principals and headmasters of the educational institutions to assemble students of their respective colleges and schools and asked them to return to their classes.