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The crisis is not just about the University of Dhaka and the seven colleges. It is a symptom of a larger problem in the education sector – lack of long-term planning and the prevalence of political interference, writes HM Nazmul Alam

IF THERE were ever a time to pitch a Netflix drama based on the chaos of Bangladesh’s education system, the current saga of the University of Dhaka and its seven affiliated colleges would be it. We can call it campus wars or the bureaucratic labyrinth. The tale has everything: students in revolt, high-stakes drama, a pro-vice chancellor with a penchant for provocative remarks, and a script that makes you laugh, cry, and want to pull your hair out all at once.

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Affiliation blunder

ONCE upon a time in 2017, a prime minister’s directive magically turned seven colleges into extensions of the University of Dhaka, as if adding a few zeros to an already overburdened system could somehow improve academic standards. These seven colleges — government institutions with rich histories but varying degrees of decay — were shoved under the umbrella of the University of Dhaka without so much as a feasibility study. It is as if someone decided to park seven elephants in a studio apartment and hoped for the best.

What followed was predictable. The University of Dhaka lacked the resources to manage an influx of nearly 200,000 additional students. The academic and administrative systems buckled under the weight, while the colleges struggled to find their footing in this newfound ‘prestige.’ Instead of improved education, students were handed a plate of identity crisis and bureaucratic indifference. And thus began the epic of unmet promises and growing resentment.

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Clash of titans

FAST forward to January 2025. The streets of Dhaka have turned into a battlefield, with students of the University of Dhaka and the seven colleges locked in a bitter clash. Sticks, bricks, and stones flew through the night sky as Nilkhet became ground zero for this academic civil war. It had all the hallmarks of a blockbuster: burning tires, tear gas, sound grenades, and a pro-vice chancellor playing the antagonist.

The trigger? A protest over a five-point demand from the seven-college students, including abolishing an unreasonable quota system and addressing the chronic issue of overcrowded classrooms. When students approached DU pro-vice-chancellor professor Mamun Ahmed, they were met with the verbal equivalent of a slap. ‘Who are you?’ he reportedly asked, channelling his inner antagonist from Mean Girls.

The response was swift. Protests erupted, and the police deployed sound grenades and tear gas, making the New Market area look like a dystopian movie set. Add to that the students’ disappointment with delayed exams, session jams, and an overall lack of respect, and you have a recipe for chaos. If this were a K-drama, it would be titled ‘dreams deferred: the seven college chronicles’.

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Bureaucratic labyrinth

THE decision to affiliate these colleges with the University of Dhaka was like handing the Titanic’s captain an extra iceberg. The colleges — previously under the National University — had their own struggles but were at least operational. Now, they are neither fully the University of Dhaka nor fully autonomous. Their certificates bear the insignia of the University of Dhaka but scream ‘second class’ to employers and society.

The seven-college students are trapped in a liminal space. They don’t want to return to the National University, but neither do they feel at home under the University of Dhaka. The last convocation saw the main campus students of the University of Dhaka celebrating while the affiliated college students were asked to watch the event online, like side characters in their own story.

One cannot help but think of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. All students are equal, but some are more equal than others. The affiliated colleges are the proverbial workhorses, slogging through a system that values them only for the fees they pay and the exam charges they incur. Meanwhile, the University of Dhaka’s main campus students enjoy the perks of being in the ‘inner circle.’

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Protest culture

THE protests by seven-college students are not new. Over the past seven years, they have taken to the streets multiple times, demanding solutions to problems that should never have existed in the first place. But their voices often fall on deaf ears. Instead of constructive dialogue, they are met with tear gas and dismissive remarks.

The students’ demands are far from unreasonable. They want an education system that respects their dignity, addresses their grievances, and provides a pathway to a better future. But the authorities seem to be more interested in preserving their bureaucratic fiefdoms than in developing real change.

This crisis is not just about the University of Dhaka and the seven colleges. It is a symptom of a larger problem in Bangladesh’s education sector: the lack of long-term planning and the prevalence of political interference. Decisions are often made based on whims rather than data, leaving students to bear the consequences.

Consider the former education minister’s proposal to affiliate more colleges with public universities. That plan was shelved. But the very fact that it was considered shows how disconnected policymakers are from the realities on the ground. It is like trying to fix a leaking boat by drilling more holes.

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Possible solutions

THE current affiliation model is clearly unsustainable. One potential solution is to grant these colleges autonomy, allowing them to build their own academic and administrative frameworks. This would require significant investment in infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and curriculum development. But the long-term benefits would far outweigh the costs.

Another option is to adopt a collegiate university model, similar to those at University of Calcutta or Tribhuvan University. Under this system, each college would retain its unique identity while benefiting from a shared administrative framework. This would provide a sense of community and academic rigour without the bureaucratic bottlenecks of the current system.

The ongoing crisis between the University of Dhaka and its seven affiliated colleges is a wake-up call. It is a reminder that education is not just about numbers or rankings; it is about people. The students protesting on the streets are not just statistics; they are young men and women with dreams, aspirations, and the potential to shape the future of Bangladesh.

As the situation unfolds, one can only hope that the authorities will rise to the occasion. Because if they do not, the next chapter in this saga might not be a protest but a full-blown rebellion. And unlike in the movies, there will not be any heroes to save the day — only a generation of students left to pick up the pieces.

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HM Nazmul Alam is a lecturer of English and modern languages at the International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology.