Media reports say that students of seven government colleges in Dhaka are once again facing a deep uncertainty. The combined crisis of university affiliation, administrative reshuffle, and structural tensions has thrown their academic lives into session jams.
While students at other universities in the country are preparing for semester exams after completing five months of classes in the same academic year, fresh students at seven colleges have yet to complete the admission process. This is not just an administrative failure, but a clear example of the lack of coordination in the higher education system.
In 2017, seven colleges were affiliated to Dhaka University from the National University without proper preparation. Since then the problems started. Chaos arose in everything from teacher shortages to curriculum coordination to exam administration.
Students have protested and made demands at various times, but no permanent solution has been found. When the announcement of the separation of seven colleges from Dhaka University was made in January this year, it was thought that this may be the beginning of a new path. But the situation has become more complicated as the preparations, structure, and future plans for establishing the new university are unclear.
Currently, admissions are underway under a proposed institution called ‘Dhaka Central University’. But the university’s legal basis, administrative structure, and teaching outline are not yet clear. Teachers are raising questions that the very existence of the institution is not legally specific, so how will first-year classes be conducted under it? Hence, they are reluctant to start classes.
Although the admission test was held in August, it has not been possible to complete the admission yet due to the teacher-staff crisis and administrative chaos. During the teachers’ strike, the admission was conducted by employees, which raises questions about both transparency and efficiency. Overall, the students are the ones who are suffering the most. Their frustration, anger, and uncertainty are the price of a simple administrative reform failure.
What is the solution to this complex situation? For this, a quick and clear decision must be made on the structure and legal status of the new university. Besides, a temporary outline must be provided in three areas – admissions, teaching, and examinations – so that students of the current academic year are no longer subject to delays.
We believe that government policymakers should remember that every week of delay means the future of thousands of students is hanging in the balance. Only coordinated and rapid action by the university administration, the Ministry of Education, and the teaching community can free students from this session jam.
Students are paying the price for indecision
