Arafat Hasan of DOT
Students of Viqarunnisa School and College, who took strike into the third day yesterday to press home a six-point list of demands following the suicide of class nine student Aritry Adhikary allegedly due to humiliation by teachers, later announced they will postpone their agitation and attend exams.
The 25-member student representative body held a meeting with the authorities of the institution and announced to end their ongoing agitations, according to a report by The Daily Star. Initially, the students stated they will only sit for their examinations if two of the demands – the resignation of the governing board and an apology from the school administration for the poor treatment of Aritry’s parents – are met.
Anushka Roy, a students’ representative who took part in the meeting, told reporters that they would attend the ongoing final examinations following assurance from the authorities to meet their demand.
“As some of our demands have already been met, we have decided to attend our final examinations. The authorities have assured us that our other demands would be met,” she said.
Students protested in front of the renowned educational institution on Dhaka’s Bailey Road since Monday, the day after Aritry’s death. Some guardians also joined the demonstration.
The Ministry of Education moved swiftly after reports of her death surfaced, forming a committee to investigate the matter, reportedly sacking three teachers and suspending classes and examinations indefinitely at all branches of the school.
Principal Nazneen Ferdous and Morning Shift In-Charge Zinat Akhtar were also accused in the case filed at the Paltan Police Station on Tuesday night. They have since been taken into custody.
Meanwhile, some other students were seen staging demonstrations in front of the school gate demanding release of their teacher Hasna Hena. According to the deputy commissioner of the DB (east) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Hasna Hena was arrested in connection with a case in which she was accused of instigating Aritry’s suicide, said Khandoker Nurunnabi to The Daily Star.