The University Grants Commission (UGC) sent letters to the vice chancellors of all public and private universities on Thursday to bring the students, who are protesting to demand reform of the quota system for government jobs, back to their classes.
The letter, signed by UGC Secretary Ferdous Zaman, instructs the university authorities to persuade their students to return to their respective educational institutions and focus on their studies.
The letter also urges the universities to comply with the observations and directives given by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court following two civil petitions.
According to the UGC letter, the directives state: the protesting students should return to their respective educational institutions and resume their studies; the court expects the VCs to take the necessary steps to create a conducive educational environment on the campuses; if the protesting students wish, they can present their statements to the court through a lawyer, and the court will consider them during the disposal of the main petition.
Meanwhile, public university teachers have been on a complete strike since 1 July to demand withdrawal of the Prottoy Scheme of the universal pension, the implementation of super grades for university teachers, and the introduction of separate pay scales.
However, when asked about the teachers’ movement, Ferdous Zaman refused to give any statement on the issue.
UGC Chairman (Additional Charge) Professor Dr Muhammed Alamgir said, “The commission felt it was its responsibility to inform the court’s instructions, and that is why the universities have been informed through letters.”
When asked whether the commission will take any initiative to end the teachers’ movement, he said that the UGC has not yet taken any decision in this regard.
“The government is taking initiatives in this regard,” he added.