Staff Reporter :
Educational institutions have been thrown into turmoil in recent weeks as a significant number of teachers and staff members are being coerced into resigning. This surge of resignations follows intense protests led by students under the banner of the ‘Anti-Discrimination Students Movement.’
Dr. Bazlur Rahman, the Principal of Patuakhali Homeopathic Medical College, has publicly criticised the movement. He revealed that he was pressured to resign by students due to a vision impairment he suffers from, despite having two years left before retirement. Dr. Rahman stated, “Some students created chaos and demanded my resignation solely because of my eye sight issue. I was forced to sign my resignation papers without any allegations of criminal activity or corruption against me.”
In response to these pressures, Dr. Rahman has filed a complaint against Firoz Ahmed, Acting Vice-Principal of the college, and several others, including Nuruzzaman, Manik Datta, and approximately 50 additional individuals.
The ‘Anti-Discrimination Students Movement’ has faced criticism as some coordinators from the group claim that false propaganda is being spread against their cause. They assert that their committees have not yet been officially announced at the district level. Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, stated, “To address the confusion caused by unauthorized coordinators, the current teams will focus on proper authorization and the formation of new committees. Our movement remains committed to addressing the legitimate concerns of the public.”
Amid the escalating situation, Wahiduddin Mahmud, Advisor to the interim government responsible for the Ministry of Education and Planning, has made a statement addressing the issue. He asserted that there is no provision for forcibly making individuals in educational roles resign.
“Any justifiable complaints against those in educational positions will be addressed according to regulations. Forcing resignations and creating instability can lead to administrative collapse and disrupt the payment of salaries and allowances,” Mahmud emphasized.
The advisor’s comments, made during a recent meeting with ministry officials, highlight the government’s stance on maintaining order and ensuring that educational institutions function smoothly. He also expressed a desire for a return to an orderly society, emphasizing the importance of restoring the proper relationship between teachers and students and ensuring no individual is subjected to personal humiliation.
As the situation develops, the educational community and the public await further actions and resolutions to these contentious issues.