University students seek govt job quota system reform

Students of different universities and colleges today staged demonstrations at their respective institutions demanding reformation of existing quota system in BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) and other government recruitment process.

Currently, 44 percent are recruited on merit and the remaining 56 percent on privilege allocated under various quotas.

Witnesses said a group of nearly 1000 students from different universities and colleges, mostly Dhaka university students, started their sit-in proghramme in Shahbagh intersection of Dhaka around 11:00am. The protestors called off their programme at 12.30pm.

Later, a four-member delegation went to Prime Minister's office to submit a memorandum which contained a five-point demand.

The five-point demand are: 10 per cent fixed quota instead of existing 56 per cent, recruitment of meritorious students in government jobs if eligible candidates are not found under the quota, cancelling special recruitment test for quota candidates, fixing an indifferent cut mark and age-limit for all in the job field, and cancelling the quota facility for more than one time.

In Chittagong, around 300 students of different departments of Chittagong University formed a human chain in front of CU Central Shaheed Minar premises to press home their demand.

Meanwhile, thousands of Rajshahi University students formed a human chain on the Paris Road.

According to two clauses of the Article 29 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh:

(1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service of the Republic.

(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office in the service of the Republic.