Education Minister asks VCs to keep students away from movement

Urging the private university vice-chancellors (VCs) to keep their students away from any kind of movement, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Wednesday said they should be held accountable for the activities of the students.

He made the call while addressing an emergency views-exchange meeting with the VCs and Pro-Vice-chancellors of all private universities at the International Mother Language Institute in the city.

Claiming that the government has already accepted all the nine demands of the students which will be met gradually, Nahid expressed his wonder as to why the private university students staged demonstrations on Monday. 

“After my meeting with the heads of all educational institutions on Sunday (August 5), students went back to classes. It’s a wonder why students of some private universities staged demonstrations on Monday (August 6). I can’t understand the reason behind their grievances,” he said.

The education minister expressed doubt whether the students demonstrated after being instigated by some evil forces.

As per the demand of the students, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will soon open work on constructing underpasses in front educational institutions in crowded areas in the city. “Their other demands will be fulfilled gradually.”

Nahid urged the heads of the private universities to make the students understand not to pay heed to any rumour.

As the VCs demand unconditional release of students arrested during Monday’s demonstrations, he said actions will be taken as per law against those committed crimes.

The education minister, however, said no innocent student will be punished.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan chaired the programme jointly organised by the Education Ministry and UGC.

Source: unb