The authorities of Rajshahi University on Thursday reinstated the ward quota facility for children of the university teachers, officials and employees for admission to undergraduate courses, triggering protests from students.
鈥楾he decision, based on recommendations of a special committee, was approved at a meeting of the university admission committee held Thursday afternoon at the Senate Building, with acting vice-chancellor (administration) Professor Mohammad Main Uddin in the chair,鈥� said a RU press release issued on Thursday evening.
According to the decision, at least 118 children of the university鈥檚 teachers, officers and employees will be able to get themselves enrolled at the university under the 2024鈥�25 academic sessions under an 鈥榠nstitutional facility鈥�.
The reversal came even though the university announced the completion of admission activities for 2024鈥�25 on August 13 and the classes began on August 17.
Protesting against the university authorities鈥� decision, students took position in front of the vice-chancellor鈥檚 residence and staged a sit-in there, demanding withdrawal of the decision.
Mostakur Rahman Zahid, president of the RU unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir and a vice-president candidate for the forthcoming Rajshahi University Central Students鈥� Union elections, said that the ward quota was a settled issue.
He alleged that a vested quarter had revived the issue to foil the RUCSU elections slated for September 25.
Mahmudul Mithu, organising secretary of the RU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, said that there was no room for ward quota at the university and they would continue their demonstrations until the decision was revoked.
Till filing this report at 8:30pm, students continued their sit-in.
On January 2, the university administration abolished the ward quota facility for undergraduate admission enjoyed by the children and grandchildren of teachers, officers and other employees of the university.
The administration cancelled the quota after students confined the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellors and other officials inside the administration building for 12 hours on January 2, demanding its cancellation.
Previously, 5 per cent quota was reserved for the children and grandchildren of the RU teachers, officers and other employees for taking admission to the university鈥檚 undergraduate courses.
But in early August, a section of teachers, officers and employees launched a continuous movement demanding reinstatement of the facility for their children.