Arafat Rahaman

1 month ago | 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.

2 months ago | 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.

2 months ago | 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.

2 months ago | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

Recommends advisory committee on primary edn reform The government's advisory committee on primary education reform has proposed a new system for teacher recruitment. The proposed system includes preparing a waiting list based on projected vacancies at the upazila-level schools. Teachers would be appointed from the waiting list as positions become available.

2 months ago | thedailystar.net | Arafat Rahaman

Details UN report, also documents instances of revenge assaults on women post Aug 5 The United Nations fact-finding report has exposed disturbing accounts of gender-based violence during the July uprising last year, with women protesters facing physical assaults, rape threats, and arbitrary detention. Supporters of Awami League, Chhatra League, and state security forces carried out the violence, as per the report released by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in Geneva.