Students from various government and private polytechnic institutes and technical schools and colleges (TSCs) blocked a road in the capital’s Satrasta area on Wednesday, demanding the fulfilment of six points raised by the ‘Technical Student Movement.’
The demonstration began around 10:00 am causing severe traffic congestion and public suffering on both sides of the road.
Agitating students urged the authorities concerned to fulfil their six points. Otherwise, they warned that they would wage stern movement.
Their demands included regulating the lab facilities and excessive fees of private polytechnic institutions and ensuring financial support for industrial attachment.
According to a recent memorandum submitted to the Chairman of the Technical Education Board, many private polytechnics in the country lack adequate lab facilities. As a result, students fail to gain the necessary skills. To address this issue, steps must be taken to improve lab facilities in private polytechnics, and any institution failing to provide such facilities should be announced closed.
It also reads that private polytechnics often charge excessive fees, and students who cannot pay face various forms of harassment. Therefore, the Technical Education Board must take logical measures to control these excessive charges and address the harassment issue.
Students of government polytechnics get financial support for industrial attachments. Unfortunately, students of private polytechnics do not get this financial support. This discrimination must be eliminated to ensure equal treatment for all students, added the memorandum.
bd-pratidin/GR
