Reform government job quota system, says student

A student rights group will organise a protest programme at all educational institutions across the country on Thursday demanding a reformation of existing quota system in various government recruitment process including BCS (Bangladesh Civil Service) examinations.

A council for protecting rights of general students announced the programme at a rally participated by several hundreds of students mostly of Dhaka University (DU) this morning.

Currently, only 44 percent are recruited on merit and the remaining 56 percent on privilege allocated under various quotas.

On behalf of the student rights body, Imran Hossain, masters student of Persian language and culture department of DU, read out a written statement addressing the prime minister.

In the statement the protesters came up with an eight-point demand which is:

1. Reform quota system to a moderate level

2. Meritorious candidates should be recruited if eligible one is not found under the quota system

3. Jobs hopping taking benefit under the same quota should be stopped

4. A person with a secured job under quota facility should switch to another only on the basis of merit

5. “Uniform cut mark” should be ensured in preliminary examination

6. Existing quota system should be reformed following experts’ advice

7. No recruitment should take place under a fixed quota

8. Full implementation of clauses no 1 and 2 of the Article 29 of the constitution and stop discrimination in the recruitment process

They also suggested the government to follow the practice of Indian quota system while reforming the existing quota system so that the real marginalised communities are benefitted, the statement reads.

According to two clauses of the Article 29 of the Constitution Of The People’s Republic Of Bangladesh:

(1) There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in respect of employment or office in the service of the Republic.

(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office in the service of the Republic.

Source: thedailystar