Authorities Crack Down on ‘Auto Vacation’ Trend in Med Colleges

Medical students across Bangladesh are increasingly taking “auto vacations” — leaving campus before official holidays are declared — a trend that has intensified since the July mass uprising. This practice is now disrupting academic schedules and prompting strong action from college administrations and the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME).

Sources indicate that the habit of departing early, often collectively by batch, has long existed to escape routine classes, examinations, and study pressure. However, authorities say it has become far more widespread post-uprising, with students now treating it as a trend.

The issue gained attention on March 2 when around 500 students from two batches at Rangpur Medical College (RMC) left campus without permission. The college administration responded by imposing a Tk 500 daily fine and ordering their immediate return. The notice stated that failure to pay the fine would result in deductions during form-fill-up for examinations.

Similar notices have been issued by other institutions. Chandpur Medical College released a notice on Saturday (7 March), citing decisions from the Discipline Committee and the extended Academic Council meeting on February 28. It announced deductions from attendance and financial penalties for unauthorized absences.

Jessore Medical College also warned of fines, attendance deductions, and possible expulsion for anyone encouraging or participating in group absences. The notice stressed that students must attend classes and examinations on scheduled dates, regardless of excuses related to other departments or examinations. It prohibited adding extra leave before or after government holidays through collective decisions.

The notice further stated that violators would face punishments ranging from 5 to 20 days of attendance deduction to denial of form-fill-up clearance. Those found aiding such actions could face the maximum penalty of expulsion from the college.

Rangpur Medical College Principal Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam told The Daily Campus on March 5: “Students leaving without permission is disrupting academic activities. That is why we issued the notice.”

Chandpur Medical College Principal Professor Dr. Sahela Naznin said on Sunday afternoon: “Students sometimes leave without leave for 15–20 days. This happened even before the election. When they take long unauthorized leaves, we cannot complete the course. If their course is incomplete, how will they become good doctors? How will they sit for examinations? According to university rules, 75% attendance is mandatory; otherwise, the university does not allow form-fill-up.”

She added: “This is becoming a trend — 15 days, 20 days, one month, two months — they just leave like this. Then they themselves fall behind. Do you want to produce doctors through skipping classes? Our syllabus is divided term-wise; if my students leave but others stay, those who left are the ones losing out.”

DGME sources confirmed that a virtual meeting with medical college principals was held on Sunday morning to discuss the issue of auto vacations.

Additional Director General (Medical Education) Professor Dr. Rubina Yasmin told The Daily Campus: “We have taken a decision that everyone should think about how to prevent this. It has increased significantly since August. The Directorate will later discuss with stakeholders and take a coordinated initiative. There should truly be a coordinated management approach.”

When asked about the fines, return orders, and attendance deductions issued by various colleges, she replied: “If principals have imposed punishments, those may remain in force. The Directorate has not yet given any positive or negative direction on this. The matter is still under consideration.”