Students Lock UGC Gate, Demand Retention of Cluster Admission System

Staff Reporter

Protesting the indifference of the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) authorities, students locked the main gate of the UGC building in Dhaka on Monday, demanding the continuation of the cluster admission system for 24 universities in the 2024-25 academic year. The demonstration began after no decision was announced by the Ministry of Education by Monday afternoon.

The protesting students, along with some guardians, gathered in front of the UGC building in Agargaon, holding banners and festoons that read, “We demand a cluster system for 24 universities in 2024.” They locked the main gate of the UGC building, vowing not to unlock it until their demands were met.

Siam Hasan, one of the protesting students, said, “Yesterday, the UGC and the Ministry of Education assured us that a decision would be announced today. They said universities would be compelled to adopt the cluster system. However, it is already afternoon, and we have not received any instructions.”

He added, “Once office hours are over, the UGC will say, ‘Office hours are over, we will see tomorrow.’ That’s why we want the directive to be issued today. We will not unlock the gate until our demands are met.”

Earlier on Sunday, students staged a long march toward the UGC building, demanding the retention of the cluster admission system for university entrance exams. When they reached the UGC, authorities invited them for discussions, but the students refused to engage in talks unless their demands were fully accepted.

The students reiterated their demand for a presidential order to ensure the continuation of the cluster system for 24 universities. They also called for reasonable reforms within the cluster admission process.

The protest highlights the growing frustration among students and guardians over the uncertainty surrounding the admission process for the upcoming academic year. The students have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are addressed.