CU students firm on abolition, authorities reluctant

CU Vice-chancellor Prof AJM Nuruddin Chowdhury at a workshop on Friday on the campus said, "If we revoke the system, students will suffer in the long run because the system is international and has already been introduced in almost all the universities and even at SSC and HSC levels.

"We are trying to revamp the system as per recommendations to be submitted by deans (of faculties). We are cautious regarding future of our students".

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On the other hand, the students, backed by student fronts of political parties, held rallies, processions and are boycotting classes and examinations to realise their demand.

Amid the student movement, the CU authorities at an emergency meeting on Tuesday formed an advisory committee to report on the issue by 10 days.

But the students, ignoring this, declared a four-day programme which includes a 'grand rally' tomorrow on the campus where they will announce their next course of action.

When contacted, Shihab, one of the movement organisers, said they will lay 'an indefinite siege' on the campus to realise their demand.

Students boycotted classes and examinations on Thursday.

A dean of a faculty preferring anonymity said most of the teachers prefer the grading system. Some of the teachers however said they are not well aware of the system.

Students are demanding cancellation of the system as it make them ineligible for jobs although they do well in examinations. Even if CU students secure grade point 3.5, which is equivalent to Fist Class, they can not apply for jobs.

In some recent advertisements for jobs, grade point 3.5 was considered as Second Class marks and students who passed from Chittagong University under the grading system could not apply, they said.

Grading system was introduced in the university in 1998-99 session.

Dhaka university does not follow the grading system, they said.