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The government has yet to deliver on its promise to fulfil their demands, protesters say
Published : 09 Feb 2025, 02:36 PM
Students of Medical Assistant Training School have occupied the road leading out of Dhaka University in Shahbagh to demand employment opportunities.
The protesters took position in front of the National Museum around 11:30am on Sunday.
They announced plans to walk towards the health directorate or the health ministry from Shahbagh.
Md Ahsan Habib, senior convenor of Sirajganj Government MATS Students Oikya Parishad, said protesters had blocked Shahbagh to press for four demands on Jan 22.
The demonstration was called off on assurances from the health ministry, but the demands have yet to be met.
“We were told that our demands would be met in seven days. But we don’t see any visible progress apart from a letter being issued. We’ve been unemployed for the last 16 years.”
“So we’ve taken to the streets again today. We will march from here. We’ve multiple destinations in mind but haven't set one yet."
Shahbagh Police Station chief Mohammad Khalid Mansur said: “MATS students haven’t yet closed off the road entirely. But it appears they will.”
MATS students have been agitating for a long time, demanding immediate appointments to vacant positions in 10th-grade positions, employment opportunities and positions at government and private levels, curriculum revisions and one-year internships with allowances while maintaining the four-year academic course, the cancellation of the proposed Allied Health Professional Board and the formation of a board called “Medical Education Board of Bangladesh”, and higher education opportunities in clinical subjects recognised by international standards and the BM&DC.
As part of their protests, students have organised various demonstrations, including class boycotts.
Bangladesh has 16 public and 51 private MATS institutions. After completing a three-year course, students receive a Diploma in Medical Faculty degree.
