Nearly two years following the historic July-August 2024 uprising that reshaped Bangladesh, the nation’s youth—Generation Z—have returned to the streets. While the initial movement focused on systemic political change, the current demonstrations, occurring just five months after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took office, center on demands for educational reform.
The unrest began in early July as approximately 1.3 million students prepared for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. Heavy monsoon rains triggered severe flooding and waterlogging, particularly impacting the Chittagong region. While the Ministry of Education eventually postponed exams in five districts under the Chittagong Education Board, students elsewhere were forced to navigate knee-deep water and harsh weather conditions to reach testing centers. Many students reported falling ill or suffering from severe mental stress due to the lack of adequate preparation time and the hazardous environment.
Public frustration intensified after an audio recording surfaced on social media, featuring Education Minister A. N. M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon. In the clip, the minister appeared to dismiss concerns about students getting wet during the exams by referring to them as "farm chickens." The derogatory remark sparked widespread outrage, with students in at least 13 districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Comilla, staging protests and blocking roads. Demonstrators specifically targeted the minister, chanting sarcastic slogans and demanding his resignation.
On July 14, tensions peaked when police used batons to clear protesters from the area surrounding the Parliament complex, an action that drew significant public criticism. By July 15, students had formalized a list of six demands, including the provision of retests for those affected by the extreme weather. The situation prompted Prime Minister Tariq Rahman to hold an emergency meeting with Milon, who subsequently apologized to the National Parliament for his comments and acknowledged the immense suffering faced by the students.
The government later announced several remedial measures. Mahdi Amin, the advisor to the prime minister on education, confirmed that students who missed the July 13 exam due to weather would be permitted to sit for retests. Additionally, the government granted full marks for two incorrect questions in the Physics First Paper, suspended four teachers involved in the faulty paper’s preparation, and empowered local administrations to adjust exam schedules or centers as needed.
Despite these concessions, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed expressed concern on July 16 that certain political factions, including the banned Awami League and the Chhatra League, were attempting to exploit the student movement to spread misinformation. While active street protests have subsided as of mid-July, the debate continues to unfold online. Observers suggest that a more proactive and sensitive approach from the government could have prevented the escalation, emphasizing that a stable education system requires greater respect for the welfare and voices of the student body.
