A group of students seeking admission
under the 2020-21 academic session have staged a demonstration demanding
reinstatement of the previous Grade Point Average (GPA) system for
Dhaka University's intake test.
They came up with the demand on
Monday from a protest rally at the TSC area of the university campus
under the banner of "General students under 2020-21 academic session."
They
gave a 48-hour ultimatum to reinstate the previous GPA system.
Otherwise, they warned to go for tougher movements like a hunger strike.
This year, DU authorities have decided to increase the combined required GPA for this year only to sit for the entrance test.
Students
applying from the science group are required to have a minimum SSC and
HSC combined GPA of 8.5 this year. Applicants from the arts and business
studies groups require a combined GPA of 8, while those applying for
fine arts will need 7.
Previously, DU used to allow students from
science faculty with a minimum SSC and HSC combined GPA of 8 while
applicants from Business Studies and Arts faculties with a combined GPA
of 7.5 and 7 respectively.
Due to auto pass this year, a total of
1,61,807 students got GPA 5 in Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and
equivalent results for 2020.
Later, protesting admission seekers
approached the vice-chancellor and proctor of DU for placing a
memorandum in this regard but they failed to meet any of them.
Abu
Huraira Tanjim, a student from Govt Tolaram College Narayanganj who
joined the protest, said: "The decision of reshuffling GPA system is
completely inhumane. We are already done with our preparations. The
university administration should inform us about this change at least
six months earlier."