DU teachers, students demand reopening campus

Dhaka University (DU) teachers and students on Sunday demanded reopening residential halls, resuming classes and taking exams immediately maintaining health guidelines, reports UNB.

Terming the ongoing closure of educational institutions 'illogical', around 100 students and teachers under the banner of "hall and educational institutions open movement" formed a human chain at the base of Raju Memorial sculpture on the campus.

Addressing the rally, Md Asif Nazrul, professor and chairman of Law department, said, "If garments, shopping malls and vehicles can operate following health guidelines, why will the educational institutions remain closed? All educational institutions must be reopened by maintaining health protocols."

"Affluent persons' children have sufficient means to learn from home but most students can't even manage a digital device or proper network to continue academic activities," he said.

Abu Musa Md Arif Billah, associate professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature, said, "The education minister changes her decision over and over, and the university authorities comply with her."

Nusrat Tabassum, a DU student of the political science department, said, "All of the students have become frustrated because of a long gap both from studies and campus environment. Most DU students were dependent on tuition, but now they are fighting to survive."

"We hope that the authorities will soon consider reopening campuses and residential halls," she said.

Moyajjem, a biochemistry student, said, "The education ministry has failed to create an effective policy during the pandemic situation. We hope the ministry will reopen our campus immediately."

"We will continue our protest until the authorities concerned announce to reopen halls and the campus," he said.

Later, the protesters brought out a procession and marched towards the vice-chancellor's residence.