MATS students to continue sit-in on Tuesday despite government assurances

The health ministry says an agreement reached on some demands and urges students to return to studies

The health ministry has assured protesting students from the Medical Assistants Training School, or MATS, that their demands will be addressed, but the students will press ahead with their sit-in at the National Press Club on Tuesday.

In a media statement on Monday afternoon, the ministry said discussions with student representatives led to agreements on some issues.

It urged students to return to their studies, highlighting that some demands could be met within 72 hours.

However, Mohammad Hasibul Islam Shanto, senior coordinator of the General MATS Students Unity Council, told bdnews24.com that their protest will continue despite the assurances.

"We will stay at the Press Club until the evening. Then, we will go home and return in the morning to continue our demonstration," he said.

He added that the ministry has promised to fulfil one of their four demands within a few days. "They sought 72 hours to resolve it. Some students will continue to stay here on Tuesday as well."

Shanto also said they would hold a press conference to announce their next steps.

According to the ministry’s statement, a meeting between health ministry officials and representatives of the MATS Students’ Unity Council was held in response to the ongoing protests.

Both sides reached a consensus on several demands, identifying the ones that could be implemented immediately, it said.

"The first demand, filling vacant posts, is already in process. The Directorate General of Health Services and the Directorate General of Family Planning have initiated the recruitment process, and visible progress will be made within 72 hours," the ministry said.

Regarding the second demand of upgrading the position of sub-assistant community medical officers to grade 10, the ministry said the issue is currently under consideration at the public administration ministry.

The ministry also noted that the demands for renaming institutions and courses, as well as providing higher education opportunities, involve multiple authorities outside its jurisdiction.

"These issues require time, but both sides have agreed on a framework for future steps," it added.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the remaining demands, and the ministry has urged students to be patient.

MATS students began their sit-in at the Press Club on Monday afternoon to push for recruitment into vacant government posts and the creation of new positions in both the public and private sectors.

Their protest follows Sunday’s demonstration at Shahbagh, where police baton-charged the students as they attempted to march towards the Secretariat.

Several students were injured, prompting them to relocate to the Central Shaheed Minar, where they stayed overnight before shifting to the Press Club.

The students' key demands include immediate recruitment to vacant 10th-grade positions, increased employment opportunities in both government and private sectors, and the creation of new positions.

They are also calling for a curriculum revision, the introduction of internships for this year, and allowances while maintaining the four-year academic course structure.