Dhaka, Apr 20 (V7N)- Students from various government and private polytechnics in Dhaka have issued a stern warning, announcing a ‘Long March to Dhaka’ if their demands are not met within the next 48 hours. This ultimatum was declared during a mass rally held on Sunday afternoon, where students rallied in front of the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute before marching to the Women's Polytechnic Institute in Agargaon.

The students, holding placards with their demands, raised powerful slogans like "I am who you are, Diploma Engineering," "Tero's weapon, roar again," and "Desh Garar, Diploma Engineer," calling for immediate reforms in technical education. Their six-point demand list highlights critical issues they want addressed:

  1. Revocation of High Court’s verdict: The verdict promoting craft instructors to junior instructors should be overturned, and the craft instructor title should be changed.

  2. Dismissal of individuals involved in the controversial craft instructor recruitment case and the cancellation of related appointment rules.

  3. Diploma Engineering course duration: The course should be extended to four years, with a modern, standardized syllabus.

  4. Job reservations: Only students with a four-year Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology (Surveying) should be eligible to apply for Deputy Assistant Engineer and equivalent posts (10th grade).

  5. Salary revisions: Private-sector diploma holders should receive a minimum salary equivalent to the 10th-grade basic pay (16,000 Taka).

  6. Appointment of technical education graduates: The Technical Education Reform Committee has proposed that technical graduates should be appointed to key positions in the sector, including Director, Deputy Director, and Principal posts.

  7. Recruitment rules amendments: The controversial recruitment rules of the Directorate of Technical Education should be amended, and recruitment notices should be published for vacant positions for skilled teachers and lab assistants in polytechnics and technical schools.

  8. University creation for technical education: A gazette should be passed to create a university offering higher education for students who have completed a Diploma in Engineering and Monotechnology.

The students have warned that if their demands are not met, they will march to Dhaka as a means of intensifying their protest, seeking justice and reforms for the technical education sector.

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