Students of Jagannath University Take Exams Wearing Helmets

Jagannath University (JnU) students are now attending classes and exams wearing helmets due to extreme safety concerns after plaster from the ceiling of the Mathematics Department fell and injured two students. This incident has triggered widespread fear across the campus regarding the safety of academic buildings.

On Wednesday (April 1) morning, while a class was underway in a seminar room of the Mathematics Department, chunks of plaster suddenly fell from the ceiling. 2024–25 academic year students Tanvir Niaz Fahim and Mahfuzur Rahman Mitul were injured in the incident.

Following the incident, panic spread among the students. They complained that several academic buildings of the university have been in risky condition for a long time. Incidents of plaster falling from ceilings have occurred several times before. A similar incident had previously happened in a teachers’ room in the same department.

Out of fear for their safety, students of the 18th batch of the Mathematics Department have started attending classes and exams wearing helmets.

A student of the Mathematics Department, Naim, said, “There is no way to tell when plaster might fall on someone’s head. That’s why we are forced to use helmets.”

Another student, Nayan, expressed anger and said, “On Wednesday (April 1), my two younger brothers were injured, yet the administration has still taken no steps. Classes and exams are still being held. Out of fear, I am coming to sit for exams in such risky rooms wearing a helmet.”

Meanwhile, leaders of Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) have strongly criticized the administration. They alleged that the risky buildings have been neglected for a long time. They warned that if effective repairs are not carried out immediately, there is a risk of a major accident.

Students also said that although many classrooms are unfit for use, they have no alternative and are forced to continue classes there. They have also demanded the speedy implementation of the second campus project of the university in Keraniganj.

The university’s Chief Engineer, Helal Uddin Patwary, said that risky areas have already been identified and a decision to repair them has been taken. The process of allocating funds for major repair works is underway.

He further informed that cracks in the main ceiling were not detected earlier because of the false ceiling. Those are now being removed. The design and cost estimate for the repair of the Science Building have also been prepared.