Bangladesh News

The National University (NU) yesterday formed a committee to probe the allegation of question leak of 2nd Year Honours English Compulsory Examinations 2006.

The three-member investigation committee, headed by NU syndicate member Enamul Haque Shaheed, has been asked to submit its report by seven work days, said highly placed sources at the NU.

Meanwhile, students of a number of NU affiliate colleges including Dhaka College and Eden College yesterday staged demonstrations in the capital to protest recurring question leak and deferment of examinations.

An urgent meeting of the NU, chaired by its acting Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Syed Rashidul Hasan, decided to form the probe committee and announced that the postponed courses, that were scheduled to be held on January 12 and 13, would now be held on January 29 and 30, the sources said.

Earlier on Thursday, the 1st and 2nd paper English Compulsory examinations for 2nd Year students of 2006 were postponed by the NU authorities amid allegations of question leak.

The examinations of the same courses were held once before on November 11, only to be cancelled later following similar allegations.

On January 2, the NU authorities suspended Mohammad Ibrahim, the controller of examinations, following an incident of question leak. The authorities at the time also blacklisted a few NU officials for their alleged involvement in the leaking and formed a probe committee.

STUDENT PROTEST
Students of Dhaka College and Eden College yesterday formed human chains and demonstrated on the streets against the recurring question leak and deferment of examinations.

The demonstrators also demanded the authorities give 45 percent marks to each student who had attended the postponed exams held on November 11.

Traffic movement on Mirpur Road and in the Azimpur area was disrupted as the students of both the colleges took position on the streets in front of their colleges to press their demand.

Hundreds of students from Dhaka College took position on Mirpur road at around 11:00am while students of Eden College blockaded the road in front of the college at Azimpur till 1:00pm.

The students demanded punishment to the responsible persons who have been involved in the repetitive question leak.

“We are being the sufferers of the frequent question leaks and exam deferments, but the authorities are yet to take any steps to track down the culprits,” said a demonstrating student.

The students later lifted their street blockade, after teachers from the colleges came out and pacified them.

They however declared to hold a human chain and a rally at 11:00am today to press home their demands.

Acting VC Prof Syed Rashidul Hasan said he had assured the aggrieved students that the culprits would be identified and punished.