Arafat Rahaman

1 month ago | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

six demands of polytechnic students Polytechnic students across the country resumed protests on Saturday, demanding urgent reforms through a six-point charter to fix long-standing problems in recruitment policies, education standards, and job opportunities. A government-appointed review committee, which was formed on April 22 to draft a roadmap for implementing those demands, held its first meeting on the same day.

1 month ago | thedailystar.net | Ahmed Deepto |Arafat Rahaman

Miftahul Jannat Ashra travelled all the way from Chattogram with her parents to claim the reward of years of hard work. As she stepped onto the stage yesterday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal, her face lit up with pride. "This award was a long-awaited one for me, and it means a lot," said the Presidency International School student, who achieved notable results in her A-level examinations. "In future, I wish to become a doctor.

Mar 5, 2025 | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

Govt misses deadline again Despite repeated assurances, the interim government has once again failed to distribute textbooks to crores of students across the country, with the 40-day Ramadan and Eid vacation already underway. After missing the usual January deadline, then education adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud stated that the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) would complete the distribution of all 40.15 crore textbooks by February. However, this deadline was also missed.

Feb 21, 2025 | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

Bangladesh has entered a new era—at least, that was the promise. After years of repression, election fraud, and unchecked state violence under autocrat Sheikh Hasina's government, the student-led uprising brought the interim government to power with a perceptibly sweeping mandate for change. They wanted justice. They wanted an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, police brutality, and an inclusive Bangladesh.

Feb 18, 2025 | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

A month on, there is still no justice for violence against adivasis It has been over a month since adivasi students were brutally attacked while protesting the removal of the word "Adivasi" from textbooks. A full month. And yet, despite the arrest of four individuals, the government's response has been rather meek, as if the incumbent needs to be reminded of its commitment to justice. Two suspects were arrested on the very night of the attack; two more were detained recently.