Kalapara students protest ‘éxtortion’ in name of exam fees

Kalapara students stage protest against exhirbitant examination fees on Wednesday.

Patuakhali: Professor Dr. Fatema Heren, the joint principal of the Government Mozahar Uddin Biswas College in Kalapara, Patuakhali, who is an OSD in Maushi, a known friend of fascism, has come into the discussion again. This time, she came into the discussion again after the students protested and formed a human chain against her in the rain, demanding reduction in the HSC first-year final exam fee.

On Wednesday, around 12 noon, students held a protest march and human chain against Professor Dr. Fatema Heren on the college campus, chanting slogans like 'Awami League's friend's address will not be in this college' and 'Extortion in the name of exam fee will not be allowed'. More than 150 students participated in it.

The students said that the college authorities have charged them exam fees ranging from 1,690 to 3,000 taka. The students are being given slips written on white paper without any receipts for collecting additional money for the examination fee.

The students claim that less money is being taken from the students at the neighboring Amtoli Government College. However, they have been charged extra money in Kalapara. They tried to contact the principal madam regarding this, but she did not listen to them. Therefore, they were forced to join the movement. The students also said that their movement will continue if the examination fee is not reduced.

Earlier, the students complained to the UNO about the allegation of taking additional money during the filling of the honors form. It is seen that although there are no activities for identity cards, student union, magazine, Rover Scout, BNC, Girls Guide and transportation, 1690 taka is being collected from the students by mentioning these categories. The students were reluctant to pay which. Later, the matter was settled with the intervention of the UNO.

Meanwhile, a source from the government MB College, who did not want to be named, said that Fatema Heren, who was close to the Awami League, changed her mind after August 5 and has now become close to the BNP by maintaining friendship with a few teachers and heavyweight leaders close to the BNP. Avoiding the instructions to deposit the money from the college's bank account in the government fund, she spent 44 lakh taka on various sectors, including installing an AC in her room, in an irregular manner. In addition, she did not deposit the money earned by selling fish from the college pond, trees on the campus and about two and a half tons of iron doors and windows to a scrap buyer, Chanmia, to the government fund.

In this regard, the principal of the government Mozahar Uddin Biswas Degree College, Professor Dr. Fatema Heren, denied all the allegations against her and said, "No additional fees have been fixed for students. Today, I was busy at a college function, they marched on the campus chanting 'Joy Bangla' instead of coming to me."

The principal further said, 'This fee has been fixed as per the government rules. Those who did not take the quarterly exams had dues, which now seem more to them. The fee has been fixed at a lower rate than other government colleges. The students protested without understanding. The issue is being resolved by explaining to them. In addition, students are being given slips of the money due as they are instructed to deposit the money in the Rocket. They are being given exam admit cards when they show the slips to deposit the money in the Rocket. He also claims that all the financial matters of the college are maintained properly.'

In connection, despite being appointed as the secretary of the Barisal Education Board, she could not join on January 27 due to the students' obstruction. Dr. Fatema Heren tried to join the post of vice-principal of BM College, but it was canceled due to the students' obstruction. The students alleged that Professor Dr. Fatema Heren was a beneficiary of Awami League politics and close associate of Hasnat Abdullah family. - Gofran Biswas Palash