Education Adviser Addresses Resignation Demands

The Ministry of Education faced widespread criticism for delaying the decision to postpone the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations following the tragic crash of a Bangladesh Air Force fighter jet at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka, on 21 July. The incident, which claimed multiple lives, mostly children, sparked nationwide outrage, with students staging protests across the country on Tuesday (22 July) to demand the resignation of Education Adviser Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar and the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education.

Addressing journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, Education Adviser Dr. Abrar responded to the escalating controversy. He explained that the decision to postpone the exams required careful consideration of various factors, including the finalisation of question papers, which contributed to the delay. "The postponement of the exams was not taken lightly. We had to ensure all aspects, including the question papers, were addressed before making the announcement," Dr. Abrar stated.

Regarding demands for his resignation, Dr. Abrar clarified that he would not make a unilateral decision to step down. "If the government believes there has been any lapse on my part, I have no intention of clinging to this position," he said, adding that the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Education has already been recalled.

The HSC and equivalent exams scheduled for 22 and 24 July were postponed following the tragic incident. Late on Monday night (21 July), Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud announced the postponement of the 22 July exams via Facebook posts, citing Dr. Abrar’s directive. On Tuesday, Dr. Abrar confirmed the postponement of the 24 July exams during a visit to the Milestone School and College campus. The new dates for the postponed exams will be announced after the completion of the regular HSC examination schedule.

The delayed announcements triggered significant unrest, with students in Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, Barishal, and other regions protesting the perceived insensitivity and lack of transparency from the Ministry of Education. Clashes at the Secretariat on Tuesday left at least 75 students and 16 security personnel injured, further intensifying calls for accountability.