Gen Z Returns to Streets in Bangladesh Demanding Education Reforms

Read The Diplomat, Know The Asia-Pacific A controversy centered on Bangladesh’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam brought students back out to protest. The historic mass uprising of July-August 2024 brought an unprecedented political change to Bangladesh. The youth, known as Generation Z, played the most crucial role in this transformation. Following the fall of the autocratic regime, these young people expected their aspirations to be fulfilled. Nearly two years have passed, and a gap remains between their expectations and the reality. Following the interim government formed after the uprising, an elected government is now in power, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Less than five months after this government took office, Gen Z is back on the streets in Dhaka and other parts of the country. This time, they are demanding reforms to Bangladesh’s education system. The controversy began with the weather. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams began on July 2; around 1.3 million students are participating in the exam, which is the gateway to university admissions in Bangladesh. But by the second week of July, very heavy rainfall across the country created an extreme disaster situation. In particular, a flood situation developed in the Chittagong region, and waterlogging occurred in cities like Dhaka and Chittagong. Considering the severity of the floods, the Ministry of Education logically postponed the exams in five districts under the Chittagong Education Board. However, the decision was made to continue examinations in other education boards, and that sparked anger among the students. While the flooding was worst in Chittagong, the weather was also hostile in other places, including Comilla. Examinees had to reach their centers by wading through knee-deep water, getting drenched, and facing storms and rain. Many students were forced to take exams while sick or without proper preparation and peace of mind. In such a disastrous situation, it is natural for anger to brew among students and their parents. Education Minister A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon’s comments added fuel to the fire of the students’ anger. Audio of the education minister’s phone conversation with the parent of a female examinee spread on social media. In that clip, Milon was heard apparently saying, “In a meeting, someone was saying that if my daughter gets a little wet, she gets a fever. I said that these are farm chickens. If they get a little wet, they get a fever.” The students erupted in anger over the phrase “farm chickens.” According to media reports, students took to the streets in at least 13 districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Comilla, blocking roads, surrounding education boards, and holding protest rallies. Students took to the streets chanting sarcastic slogans like “Who are you? Who are we? Farm chicken!” They blocked crucial intersections in the capital city, Dhaka. Students complained that many of them had caught a fever after getting wet in the monsoon rain, and on top of that, the lack of adequate gaps in the exam schedule was creating mental pressure. They demanded Milon’s resignation. On July 14, scenes of police charging students with batons to remove them from the street in front of the Parliament complex reopened deep wounds among the public. At the same time, severe traffic congestion on Dhaka’s roads throughout the day caused immense difficulties for locals. On July 15, they continued their movement by blocking roads and gave a new list of six demands, including allowing retests for students affected by the weather. On July 16, students sat for their exams. As of this writing, they have not been seen on the streets so far. On July 14, as the situation escalated, Prime Minister Tariq Rahman held an emergency meeting with Milon at the Parliament building. Following this, the education minister apologized for his remarks on the floor of the National Parliament. He admitted that students faced immense suffering due to rain and waterlogging. In a statement on July 15, Milon said that arrangements would be made to retake exams for those who were unable to participate. Separately, Mahdi Amin, the advisor to the prime minister on education, highlighted five key initiatives taken by the government. First, students who could not take the July 13 exam due to hostile weather will be given another opportunity to sit for it. They can participate in the exams using identical question papers at the same time scheduled for the postponed exams of the Chittagong Board. Second, full marks will be given to all examinees for two incorrect questions in the Physics First Paper exam. Third, four teachers involved in preparing the faulty question paper have been temporarily suspended. Fourth, local administrations have been given full authority to postpone exams, change centers, or adjust exam timings so that examinees do not face any suffering. Milon’s apology and Amin’s steps essentially validate the students’ demands. However, if these solutions had been offered earlier, the protest movement might not have escalated this far. Concerns have also been raised about the potential for political groups to take advantage of the students’ anger. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed spoke at the secretariat on July 16, warning that certain groups are trying to “fish in muddy waters” using the student movement as a front. The Awami League, which fell during the 2024 uprising and is currently a banned political party, along with its student wing Chhatra League, has been trying to capitalize on the unrest by spreading misinformation on social media. Today, students have not been seen on the streets so far, but this debate remains active on social media and in other spheres. It’s time for a swift resolution of the misunderstanding between the students and the government, allowing the remaining exams to be completed smoothly and successfully. The government must also demonstrate greater sensitivity, foresight, and sincerity in the future to prevent issues from boiling over. In a sensitive and democratic system, a healthy education system must be sustained by respecting the emotions and feelings of the students. Subscribe today and join thousands of diplomats, analysts, policy professionals and business readers who rely on The Diplomat for expert Asia-Pacific coverage. Get unlimited access to in-depth analysis you won't find anywhere else, from South China Sea tensions to ASEAN diplomacy to India-Pakistan relations. More than 5,000 articles a year. Already have an account? Log in. Md Faruk Hassain is a Bangladeshi journalist and media researcher specializing in politics, diplomacy and climate change. He holds graduate and postgraduate degrees in Journalism and Media Studies from Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.