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Protests over the HSC examinations entered a second day on Wednesday, with students marching to the secretariat and staging a sit-in while renewing their demand for the education minister’s resignation.
Around 3:30pm, students launched a long march from the Science Lab intersection and gathered in front of the secretariat.
Members of law enforcement agencies remained on alert to maintain order.
Meanwhile, another group of students who had assembled in front of the BNS Center in Uttara also began a long march towards the Ministry of Education, declaring they would continue their movement until the education minister steps down.
Earlier, at around 2:30pm, students blocked the Science Lab intersection, disrupting traffic and causing severe congestion before lifting the blockade and heading for the Secretariat.
In Uttara, HSC examinees gathered in front of the BNS Center at around 1:30pm and blocked the road as part of their previously announced programme, chanting slogans demanding the minister’s resignation and other reforms.
The protesting students alleged that although the education minister had expressed regret over his controversial remarks, he had not addressed their key demands. They reiterated their call for fresh examinations in Physics (First Paper) and Accounting (First Paper).
Several parents joined the demonstrations in solidarity, voicing concerns over the quality of the question papers and expressing support for the students’ demands.
Road blockades throughout the day disrupted traffic across several parts of the capital, causing severe inconvenience to commuters, including passengers travelling to the airport.
The protests began on Tuesday after the government proceeded with the HSC examinations despite flooding in many areas and following the education minister’s controversial “farm chicken” remark about students.
Demonstrations and road blockades were held in Dhaka’s Science Lab, Uttara and the Dhaka Education Board area, as well as in Mymensingh, Barishal, Bogura, Narayanganj and Chattogram.
Later, addressing parliament, Education and Primary and Mass Education Adviser Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon expressed regret over his remarks, saying they were not directed at anyone in particular and apologising to anyone who had been hurt.
He also explained why the examinations were not postponed, saying the government had remained in constant contact with local administrations and relevant officials, monitored the situation closely and decided to proceed with the examinations based on their assessments.
He added that the government had given due importance to the hardships faced by students and had kept the overall situation under close review.