Both crises in the strike-movement, who will teach when students return to class?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to the Vice-Chancellors of all public and private universities in Bangladesh, urging students who participated in the quota reform agitation to return to their classes. This directive follows the Supreme Court's observations and directions regarding the quota system in government jobs.

However, the situation remains complicated as university faculty members are also engaged in strikes and sit-in protests, demanding the cancellation of the universal pension scheme 'Pratyaya'. This has led to a halt in all academic activities, including classes and exams, raising concerns about who will teach if students return.

The letter, issued on Thursday (July 11) by UGC Secretary Dr. Ferdous Zaman, emphasized that all protesting students should resume their studies at their respective educational institutions. The letter highlighted the need to comply with the Supreme Court's directions.

Despite the UGC's instructions, public university teachers, officers, and employees have been protesting for the 11th consecutive day. The Vice-Chancellor of a public university, speaking on condition of anonymity, criticized the UGC's directive, questioning who would teach if students returned to class. "Any instructions should be thought through," the Vice-Chancellor remarked.

Dr. Ferdous Zaman confirmed that the UGC's letter was based on a review received from the Supreme Court regarding the quota issue. However, he did not provide a clear answer about the ongoing faculty protests.

Jagannath University's general secretary, Dr. Sheikh Mashrik Hasan, stated that no decision had been made by their federation regarding the teachers' movement. He affirmed that their agitation would continue until their demands were met.

Prof. Dr. Md. Nizamul Haque Bhuiyan, President of the DU Teachers' Association, reiterated that teachers would not resume classes until the Pratyaya Scheme was abolished. "If students want to return to class, let them return. But we teachers own the class. If we don't want them, they won't be able to return to the class-examination," he stated.