Rajshahi University abolishes ward quota after 47 years

Highlights

• Rajshahi University abolishes ward quota after student protests

• Students locked officials in for 12 hours, forcing action

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• Students hail the move as a victory for merit-based admissions

• RU employees call the abolition unfair to their children

• Staff unions announce protests, including a work abstention

Rajshahi University (RU) has abolished its ward quota system, a policy in place since 1977, following weeks of student protests.

While university students have welcomed the decision to abolish the ward quota, discontent is noticeable among the university's teachers, officers and employees.

The ward quota, introduced by former vice-chancellor Prof Abdul Bari, allowed children of RU's faculty, officers and staff to gain admission by merely passing the competitive admission exam.

The quota initially reserved 5% of seats for these children. However, it was reduced to 4% last year under pressure from students.

After the interim government assumed office following the 5 August mass uprising, it was further reduced to 3%.

Despite these reductions, protests continued, culminating in the demonstrators locking the administration building on Thursday.

Over 200 university officials and employees, including two pro-vice-chancellors and the proctor, were locked in for 12 hours.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib eventually met the protesters and announced the complete abolition of the ward quota.

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"There will be no ward quota in this university anymore. The ward quota will be abolished through the proper process in the next few days," Naqib said.

Students celebrated the decision with a victory procession on campus following the announcement.

In the 2021-22 academic year, 68 students gained admission through the ward quota despite failing the entrance test, according to Salahuddin Ammar, coordinator of the RU's anti-discrimination student movement. He described the quota as fostering nepotism.  

"The roots of the ward quota ran so deep that children admitted through it would eventually become university staff. Abolishing this unreasonable and illegal quota is a great achievement. We demand admissions based solely on merit," Ammar said.

RU is the first university in the country to abolish this system, with similar protests ongoing in other institutions.

Faculty and staff reactions

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Farid Uddin Khan explained that the formal abolition of the ward quota will be proposed at the university's admission committee meeting on Sunday.

"If passed, the ward quota will no longer apply to undergraduate admissions from the 2024-25 academic year," he said.

The decision has faced criticism from some faculty and staff.

Professor Akter Banu, director of RU's Institute of Education and Research, argued that the ward quota honoured university employees without depriving other applicants.

"This was an additional benefit, not a quota. No one was denied admission because of it. I also disapprove of the methods used to abolish it," she said, alleging external influence in the protests.

Md Moktar Hossain, president of the RU Officers' Association, expressed resentment, claiming that the abolition disregarded employees' contributions to the institution.

"We were not asking for a quota but institutional benefits for our children, which exist in universities nationwide. Officers and employees dedicate their lives to this institution, yet their children are denied such benefits," Moktar said.

In response to the quota abolition, the RU Officers' Association, along with supporting staff unions, has announced a series of protests.

These include a human chain on Monday, a sit-in on Tuesday, and a full-day work stoppage on Wednesday. Further action will be determined after subsequent meetings.