Impact of political instability on students

A pall over the lives of students throughout Bangladesh is the increasing political unrest that coincides with the start of election season. The persistent disturbances to our everyday schedules, namely the transportation problems, are unbearable and endanger not only our safety but also our education.

Students, whether in school or at a university, get ready for midterms and final exams during this time of year. But this year's exam season coincides with the election. This has provided a preview of the conditions that will prevail until the election is over, as political turmoil is still present and is predicted to get worse over the next few days. The discontent has penetrated the very foundation of society, extending well beyond the political sphere. Both the academic aspirations and psychological health of several students are affected.

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A day or even hours in advance, political groups often declare nationwide hartals or call for blockades. Public transit has limited movement because of the potential of vandalism, and the "peace processions" that are being held are everything but peaceful. Since most students depend on public transportation, this causes anxiety for them because the volatility makes it unsafe for them to get from their homes to their places of education.
Despite the serious risk that this presents to students traveling to and from campus, several educational institutions choose to remain open despite the political atmosphere of the present day. What was once a routine school travel has become a logistical nightmare, with concerns for their personal safety stemming from the ongoing hartals and blockades. In order to protect their students, institutions ought to be more sympathetic and accommodating, given that many may not have access to private transportation.

The erratic political climate affects not just how long it takes them to finish their courses and the length of the academic year, but also in more general ways. Students find themselves in a precarious situation where they don't know when or if they will be able to return to a traditional, in-person classroom setting because exams and classes are routinely canceled, moved online, or postponed. While some students might see the return of online instruction and testing as a godsend, many have experienced disruptions due to the unpredictability and last-minute schedule changes. Furthermore, many students might find their online learning experiences to be, at most, mediocre because of the profusion of distractions and the informal settings of their homes.

Online courses are a need given the circumstances, but they are not a panacea. It is past time for our institutions and political leaders to acknowledge this and take accountability for the shortchange we are suffering. Academic endeavors are put in jeopardy by the current political unrest in Bangladesh. That students are once again caught in the crossfire during an election year is intolerable. It should be the duty of our political leaders to defuse the situation and give the students' safety and education top priority.