Zakiganj (Sylhet) Correspondent

A human chain was organized by over fifty educational institutions in Zakiganj demanding the participation of kindergarten school students in the fifth-grade scholarship examination.

Students, teachers, and guardians of kindergartens also took part in the program.

The human chain was held at various markets and points across Zakiganj upazila on Thursday. 

At Shahgoli Point, institutions such as Shahgoli Adarsha Shishu Niketan and The Child Care School participated; at Atgram Point, Atgram Latifia Islamic Ideal Academy; at Kaliganj Bazar, Shimantik International School, Habibia Cadet School, and Ichhamoti Scholars Academy; at Kashkanakpur, Udayan School; at Union Office Bazar, Shahjalal Islamic Ideal School and Al Madina International Academy; at Uttarkul, Mushahidia Ideal KG School; at Hasitola, Hasitola KG School; at Kamalganj, Morning Star Kamalganj and Abdul Aziz Academy; at Gangajal Bazar, Talentshome School; at Babur Bazar, Kusumkoli Kindergarten, Merithome School, and Golden Academy; at Eidgah Bazar, Rising Sun School; at Masum Bazar, Birshree Islamic KG; at Ratanganj Bazar, Childhome School; at Harikandi, Darul Azhar Academy; and at Varon Muminpur, Cordova Model Academy held human chain programs.

Besides, similar programs were held simultaneously at other schools.

At 12:30 PM, the Zakiganj Kindergarten Association held a human chain in front of the upazila council. During this time, students and teachers of Al Ihsan Academy, Zakiganj Ideal KG School, Zakiganj Kindergarten, Cadethome School, and Saba Sanabil School from the municipality area took part in the program and demanded participation in the primary scholarship examination.

The human chain was presided over by the president of Zakiganj Kindergarten Association, Maulana Kazi Hifzur Rahman, and conducted by General Secretary and journalist KM Mamun.

 A brief discussion was held during the program with speeches from Cadethome School Principal Siraj Uddin, Zakiganj Kindergarten Principal Shafiqul Rahman, Acting Principal of Al Ihsan School Ahmad Al Azad, Director of Saba Sanabil School Raju Ahmed, Zakiganj Kindergarten Association Treasurer Yahia Ahmed Chowdhury, Organizing Secretary Tarek Ahmed, and Director of Darul Azhar Abdul Hamid, among others.

Speakers stated that on July 17, the Directorate of Primary Education issued a notification mentioning the date of the primary scholarship examination, stating that only students from government primary schools will be allowed to participate, while students from private institutions and kindergartens will not. In a Bangladesh that claims to be free from discrimination, such a discriminatory decision is completely unacceptable. 

On behalf of the Zakiganj Kindergarten Association, we strongly condemn and protest this decision. They also warned strictly that all types of educational institutions across the country must be given the opportunity to participate in the scholarship examination. Otherwise, the examination must be canceled. Under no circumstances will this discriminatory decision be accepted.

After the human chain, a memorandum was sent to the Chief Adviser through the Upazila Executive Officer.