One of the main problems of our public universities is that they lack residential facilities. These universities enrol more students than their seat capacity in the dormitories. As a result, the students who come from distant places have often to stay in rented flats or mess halls close to the university. Jagannath University (JnU) in Old Dhaka is not an exception. As this university has only one residential hall for its students, almost every JnU student who comes to Dhaka for higher studies has to spend a big chunk of their money for accommodation. There are many students in this university who have to study at their own cost. They support their expenses by tutoring or doing part-time jobs. High inflation with attendant price hike of daily essentials has raised food prices. And the students who live in rented flats are now passing a terrible time as a result. Though they now have to spend more, their income has not increased.
An analysis of market prices shows that the price of daily essentials including rice, pulses, vegetables, fish, meat and eggs, has been increasing by leaps and bounds. Many JnU students who live in rented flats and messes have changed their eating habit to cope up with this increased cost, while others have started avoiding nutritious food items like fish and meat due to the rising cost of restaurant foods. Student life should be cheerful. If we cannot relieve our students' financial pressure, how can they concentrate on their studies?
Nazifa Tasnim
Student of Mass Communication
and Journalism
Jagannath University, Dhaka
nazifa14.mcj.jnu@gmail.com