Session jam crisis

Session backlog is one of the major problems of Bangladesh's higher education system. This issue has long been a deep-rooted crisis in public universities, hindering students' academic progress and future planning. The primary cause of this problem is the failure to complete the syllabus on time. Although classes, examinations and result publication are scheduled according to the academic calendar, continuity is often disrupted due to various reasons.

A shortage of teachers in universities forces students to wait for long periods for classes, laboratory work and examinations. Moreover, teachers are required to handle administrative responsibilities alongside teaching and research. As a result, disorder emerges in academic activities. Political instability further worsens the situation, as clashes, blockades and campus unrest lead to prolonged suspension of classes and examinations. Consequently, the duration of a semester increases, negatively affecting students' academic lives.

The lack of adequate classrooms, modern laboratories and a reliable management system slows down the pace of education, making session backlog almost inevitable. Unfortunately, session backlog has now become normalised. Education-related administrations do not seem to pay sufficient attention to this issue. Due to session backlog, students suffer from uncertainty about their future, and the entry of skilled manpower into the workforce is delayed.

Lotus Jahangir

Student

Department of History, University of Rajshahi