Several hundred students today blockaded the road in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka protesting a government move to increase the number of “creative questions” in both SSC and HSC examinations.
The students under the banner of “Dhaka Chhatra Samaj” staged a two-hour sit-in in front of the press club from 1:00pm, halting traffic movement on the adjacent roads.
Students have been protesting the government decision to increase the number of questions from six to seven since February, reasoning that it will be difficult for them to do well in the examinations unless the time is increased.
Jubayer Rayan Sakif, a 12th grader of Government Science College and also the spokesperson for the platform, said, “Previously we were asked to answer six questions in two hours and ten minutes. But with this move we have to answer seven questions in two hours and twenty minutes.”
“Our test will commence within a month,” Sakif went on, “And such an abrupt decision is quite unacceptable as it causes immense anxiety.”
The protesters from more than 25 schools and colleges in Dhaka staged the demonstration to press home their demand for reviewing the decision.
Earlier around 11:00am, the students formed human chain at Shahbagh intersection for three hours demanding the same.
