SSF demands for 25pc education budget allocation

The Socialist Student Front (SSF), Barishal Metropolitan Branch, formed a human chain and held a rally demanding the allocation of 25 per cent of the national budget to the education sector, effective initiatives for the treatment of measles, and punishment for those responsible for irregularities in vaccination activities.

SSF activists observed the programme in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall in Barishal metropolitan city on Sunday.

Sujan Ahmed, Farzana Akhter, Umme Halima Laboni, Lamia Saymon, Abir Debnath Joy, and Rezwan Hossain Siam, leaders of the SSF Barishal Metropolitan Branch, addressed the rally.

The speakers said that Bangladesh has been independent for 54 years and that the history of the student community in the country is one of continuous struggle and sacrifice.

They stated that the history of students is stained with blood from the mass uprisings of 1952, 1962, 1969, 1971, 1990, and most recently, 2024.

However, they alleged that the state has never properly recognized the sacrifices and struggles of the student community.

The speakers said that although the rulers repeatedly describe education as the backbone of the nation, the education sector continues to receive inadequate budget allocations.

They claimed that Bangladesh has one of the lowest allocations to the education sector in Asia, with only 1.69 per cent of the national budget and around 2 per cent of GDP allocated to education.

As a result, they said, education has become a market commodity that only those with money can afford.

The leaders also said that the SSF has long been demanding the allocation of 25 per cent of the national budget to the education sector.

Besides, they expressed deep concern over the recent increase in measles-rubella infections among children. According to the latest reports, 353 children have already died.

At the same time, they demanded punitive action against those responsible for negligence of duty and irregularities in measles vaccination activities.

They also demanded the establishment of divisional children’s hospitals, initiatives to deliver vaccines at the union and village levels, and the opening of measles-rubella corners in hospitals for measles patients.