Scrapping of quota system welcome

In the wake of countrywide protests and demonstrations that paralysed life across the nation, causing immeasurable suffering to the masses, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated unequivocally that all quota systems in the civil service employment, the cause of the agitation, will be abolished. The PM deserves accolades for acting swiftly and with sagacity. For quite some time, there has been simmering discontent among young graduates over the special quota system, which aimed to give special preference in government jobs under several social segments.

The main grievance among young university level students was that with such high percentage of posts allotted to those applying under quota, there would be limited seats to a large number of candidates wanting to enter government service. However, the demand was for reforms, not complete eradication. The general feeling in society is that 10 to 15 per cent of jobs can be under quota. The premier has also stated that while the quota is terminated, other means of providing employment to special categories of people will be chalked out.

This has to be done immediately so that women job seekers, applicants from ethnic minority groups plus eligible people with physical impediments do not feel desolate. A judicious move would be to form a body with members from the government and civil society to formulate a strategic approach that would make it mandatory for government departments to give employment for special categories.

Since the decision has been taken to do away with the quota, the general students must strive hard to prove their skills and talent in the government civil service examination. Obviously, with more seats available now, the country can look forward to having the best from all public and private universities competing for posts in administration. From another angle, this may also dissuade young meritorious students from choosing to leave the country and migrate overseas.

However, in future, when issues need to be put to the authority, the process needs to be free of violence. Some depraved elements stirred up anger which resulted in grave human rights violations within university campus. Such scenes do little to boost the image of a country moving forward.

 

Scrapping of quota system welcome

In the wake of countrywide protests and demonstrations that paralysed life across the nation, causing immeasurable suffering to the masses, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has stated unequivocally that all quota systems in the civil service employment, the cause of the agitation, will be abolished. The PM deserves accolades for acting swiftly and with sagacity. For quite some time, there has been simmering discontent among young graduates over the special quota system, which aimed to give special preference in government jobs under several social segments. The main grievance among young university level students was that with such high percentage of posts allotted to those applying under quota, there would be limited seats to a large number of candidates wanting to enter government service. However, the demand was for reforms, not complete eradication. The general feeling in society is that 10 to 15 per cent of jobs can be under quota. The premier has also stated that while the quota is terminated, other means of providing employment to special categories of people will be chalked out. This has to be done immediately so that women job seekers, applicants from ethnic minority groups plus eligible people with physical impediments do not feel desolate. A judicious move would be to form a body with members from the government and civil society to formulate a strategic approach that would make it mandatory for government departments to give employment for special categories. Since the decision has been taken to do away with the quota, the general students must strive hard to prove their skills and talent in the government civil service examination. Obviously, with more seats available now, the country can look forward to having the best from all public and private universities competing for posts in administration. From another angle, this may also dissuade young meritorious students from choosing to leave the country and migrate overseas. However, in future, when issues need to be put to the authority, the process needs to be free of violence. Some depraved elements stirred up anger which resulted in grave human rights violations within university campus. Such scenes do little to boost the image of a country moving forward.