The skirmishes between the law enforcers and students demanding reform of the quota system are definitely unfortunate. Such scenes of belligerence on the campus surely paint a negative picture of a country which is on its way to achieve the middle income status.  However, the issue cannot be resolved by resorting to hard-line action. It will not be wise if the authorities decide that the police adopting robust measures will be sufficient in getting the message across and put an end to the demands. No grievance has ever been resolved amicably with force or coercion.

Apparently the students protesting are demanding reform to the quota system in the government civil service employment procedure and calling for selection based on academic results and BCS exams. For any nation, appointments to the much coveted civil service posts are best done through a merit based selection because it’s a fact that the people who are chosen today will have a profound impact on how the country is run in the future. Today’s young civil servants will be instrumental in helping Bangladesh develop and flourish.

Therefore, it’s for the country’s own benefit that selection is based on skills and talent. However, any country has to recognize the need to give extra attention to the disadvantaged and people facing physical and mental challenges. At this juncture, the prudent step would be to have a constructive dialogue with the agitating students and bring an end to street scuffles.  Meanwhile, the government can form a committee comprising top stakeholders to chalk out a plan so that the issues raised by disgruntled students are addressed.

If talented students feel that they do not have chance to get a respectable job in government, more and more disenchanted men and women will opt to go abroad. Such overseas migration for better life shows that once people go to another country, they hardly come back, thus fuelling a brain drain. This issue of reconciling job demands of young graduates with the state’s responsibility to give preference to certain sections is delicate but with a strategic approach, a healthy balance can be made.

A section of the people who the government feels need extra attention can be given scholarships, monetary incentives or special benefits in various fields. No country can afford to its civil service become riddled with mediocrity.