The interim government has rescinded its directive to reserve 5% of seats in public school admissions for the families of those injured or killed in the July Uprising of 2024, following mounting criticism.
Mosaammat Rahima Akter, deputy secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, told the media on Tuesday (4 March) that the order, issued earlier, was officially revoked on Monday (3 March).
With this cancellation, the previous admission policy remains in effect.
On 20 February, the Ministry of Education initially issued the directive, instructing the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) to implement necessary measures.
A formal notice was sent to all public school principals on 2 March.
The now-withdrawn order, signed by Rahima Akter, mandated a 5% reservation for the children of freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and the families of those wounded or killed in the July Uprising.
Applicants seeking admission under this quota were required to submit attested copies of relevant documents, including certificates issued by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs or official gazettes verifying their status as July Uprising martyrs.
Schools were directed to verify these credentials thoroughly before finalising admissions. In the absence of eligible candidates, the reserved seats were to be filled from the merit list to ensure no vacancies remained.
The revocation of this quota has sparked opposition from student activists. On Monday, the Student Rights Council held a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, condemning the decision.
The organisation denounced the cancellation as a betrayal of the spirit of the July Uprising and demanded its immediate reinstatement.
