Tensions mount over proposed DCU plan remain unresolved

City Desk :

Tensions have escalated over the establishment of the proposed Dhaka Central University (DCU) and its affiliation with the seven government colleges in Dhaka.

Teachers from these colleges, particularly those in the BCS General Education cadre, are calling for a new campus for the university rather than merging the colleges. They argue this would benefit the institutions more.

In contrast, students accuse teachers of attempting to derail the project with a “conspiracy”.
At a press conference on Thursday at Dhaka College, student representative Abdur Rahman said: “Conspiracies are ongoing against the establishment of Dhaka Central University. Now, a faction is inciting students against it.”

He claimed that in the name of preserving tradition, certain teachers were using students to obstruct the government’s actions, including the creation of the university, reports bdnews24.com.

Abdur also said teachers had initially supported the proposed structure, but some are now leading protests by skipping classes and exams to lobby against the plan.

“This is extremely unfortunate for students,” he added, criticising the teachers’ actions as hindering education.
Teachers, however, claim their demand for a separate campus for the university is essential for quality education.

They believe that splitting the seven colleges into four schools under the new university would disrupt students’ educational prospects. The new system, which combines online and offline classes, is seen as unsuitable for the colleges by the teachers.

On the other hand, students are calling for swift action on the establishment of the university.
Abdur said, “We believe that the sooner the ordinance for the proposed university is issued, the faster the university can start operations, and the conspirators will be defeated.”

He added that if the ordinance is not issued promptly, students would take stringent action.
The seven colleges in Dhaka were previously under the National University until Feb 17, 2017, when they were affiliated with Dhaka University. However, after ongoing student protests over issues like timely exams and results, the colleges were removed from Dhaka University in January. Following continued student demands, the government decided to establish a new university.

In August, the Ministry of Education announced that the proposed Dhaka Central University would split the seven colleges into four schools.

The academic system would be “interdisciplinary” and “hybrid”, with 40 percent of classes online and 60 percent offline, though all exams would be held in person.

A group of teachers affiliated with the BCS General Education cadre staged a human chain in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC) office on Wednesday, protesting against the proposed structure for affiliating the seven government colleges with a new university.

In a statement, the BCS General Education Cadre Association expressed concerns, saying: “The seven government colleges are part of the national framework and uphold a glorious tradition.
“Suddenly affiliating them with a new university or changing their administrative structure goes against national interests and heritage,” it added.

The association criticised the previous move, which transferred these colleges from the National University to Dhaka University without adequate surveys or planning, leading to administrative and academic complications.

“This decision was based on individual preferences, causing uncertainty in the lives of over 150,000 students, which may recur in the future,” the statement added.

The association highlighted the long-standing educational legacy of these colleges, noting that Dhaka College, since 1858, had been a “cornerstone of higher education” in the country.
The statement argued that college-based education, modelled after the National University, has significantly contributed to the expansion of higher education across Bangladesh.

The association also warned that limiting educational opportunities at these colleges could push students towards struggling private universities, which is not a student-friendly option.
It also stressed that education professionals, like those in the military and medical fields, are capable of effectively managing universities.

The BCS General Education Cadre’s recommendations include maintaining the existing administrative and financial structure of these colleges.
It proposes either transforming the colleges into a collegiate system or affiliating them with a separate campus of the proposed Dhaka Central University.

It calls for proper consultations and thorough surveys by the UGC before any final decisions are made, ensuring equitable access to quality education across urban and rural areas.