Section of Viqarunnisa students to boycott classes

A group of students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College have decided to boycott classes from today demanding release of their teacher Hasna Hena from jail.

The students demonstrated in front of the college for around two hours yesterday and declared to start a class boycott at the end of the programme. Around 100 current and former students and some guardians took part in the demonstration.

The protesters said only students of class XI will boycott classes because all other students are taking their annual examination at present.

Hasna Hena is one of the three teachers sued for “provoking the suicide” of ninth-grader Aritry Adhikary. A Dhaka court sent her to jail on Thursday.

The protesters claimed that Hasna Hena was not involved in insulting Aritry and her parents; she was accused in the case for being the class teacher of Aritry.

Asked about the education ministry's probe finding Hasna Hena and two other teachers responsible, they expressed displeasure and demanded a proper investigation.

The group started their agitation after students demanding justice for Aritry's death postponed theirs on Thursday.

On Friday, some teachers were also seen taking part in the demonstration for release of Hena.

Meanwhile, some guardians present there yesterday expressed frustration as they think such protests by different groups would hamper educational environment at the institution.

Wishing anonymity, father of a class XI student said a vested quarter is trying to provoke the students. "This has become chaotic, with students protesting and boycotting classes for two opposing reasons. If Hasna Hena is innocent, it will be proved legally,” he said.

The annual examinations resumed Friday after three days of protest over the suicide of Aritry.

On Thursday, the students decided to go back to class after getting assurances that their six-point demand would be met. They said their protest had nothing to do with the arrest of Hena as it came following a case filed by Aritry's father and an education ministry investigation.

After the death of Aritry, protests by students and guardians rocked the 66-year-old institution and prompted the education ministry, school authorities and law enforcers to take action.

In a probe, the ministry found three teachers responsible -- acting principal Nazneen Ferdous, morning shift in-charge Zinat Akhtar, and class teacher Hena. They were suspended later.

The authorities appointed Assistant Professor Hasina Begum as acting principal and Mohsin Talukder as morning shift in-charge.