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Published : 06 Dec 2025, 03:01 PM
A faction of students from Government Titumir College has demanded the cancellation of the proposed “schooling system” for the planned Dhaka Central University, which is set to be formed with seven colleges in the capital.
At a media briefing on Saturday, they also called for preserving the distinct identity of the institute, warning of protests if the system is implemented.
Sanjida Akter, a student from the 2023-24 session, said: "We all want the Central University. None of us is opposing it. We are opposing the schooling structure."
As the formation process for Dhaka Central University -- comprising Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Government Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Government Bangla College, and Government Titumir College -- moves forward, several groups of teachers and students from these institutions have taken opposing positions on the immediate structure.
In the proposed framework for “Dhaka Central University”, officials of the BCS General Education Cadre currently employed as teachers in those seven and government colleges across the country fear the breach of fundamental rights such as promotion.
Meanwhile, a portion of current students support swift finalisation of the university’s legal framework and have demanded quick issuance of the ordinance.
On Sept 24, the education ministry released a draft ordinance for the Dhaka Central University, proposing that the seven colleges be divided into four schools in an interdisciplinary structure, while higher secondary courses would remain.
Education cadre officials fear that around 1,500 posts from the seven colleges may be removed from the cadre, causing promotion complications.
Amid these concerns, the ministry has indicated that the draft ordinance will be revised, adding that finalising it will take time.
Criticising the draft, Sanjida said: “The draft states that the distinct character of these reputed colleges will be removed, each college will be turned into a separate school with fewer departments, and religious studies will be withdrawn -- turning the colleges into hybrid institutions.
“Students from Titumir and the other six colleges protested. Following this, the ministry held a meeting with students on the 16th of October. There, we clearly showed that we will not accept the schooling system, and that a majority of students oppose it. Later, we were assured that each college’s distinct identity, number of departments and student intake would be preserved.”
Reiterating their demand to preserve the identity of all seven colleges, she said: “We want a new structure that keeps Titumir and the other six colleges distinct, and allows the 2024–25 session to start classes as early as possible.”
Another faction of students from college, however, is opposing Dhaka Central University and demanding that Titumir College be converted into a university instead.
