Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Bangladesh Students Protest Exam Disruptions and Minister's Remark
Students in Bangladesh are very upset because their exams were held during heavy rain and flooding.
The weather made it very hard for them to reach their exam centers and concentrate.
To make things worse, the education minister made a mean comment comparing students to 'farm chickens' when they complained.
This made the students even angrier, and they started protesting in many cities.
The prime minister and the education minister had an emergency meeting, and the minister later said sorry.
The government promised to arrange new exams for students who couldn't take theirs because of the bad weather.
Students protested across Bangladesh due to exam disruptions caused by severe weather conditions.
Heavy rain and flooding made it difficult for students to reach exam centers and concentrate.
The education minister's remark comparing students to 'farm chickens' sparked widespread anger.
Protests occurred in at least 13 districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Comilla.
The government apologized and announced fresh exam arrangements for affected students.
- Who
- Students and parents in Bangladesh
- What
- Protests against exam disruptions and a minister's insensitive remark
- When
- July 17, with key events on July 14 and July 15
- Where
- Dhaka and other cities across Bangladesh
- Why
- Due to severe weather conditions during exams and a controversial remark by the education minister
Students and Parents
Government Officials
Exam Disruptions
Students and Parents
Students and parents argue that the exams should have been postponed or rescheduled due to severe weather conditions, as it caused significant hardship and unfair disadvantages.
Government Officials
The government initially decided to keep the exams on schedule, except in the most severely affected districts, to maintain the academic calendar.
Minister's Remark
Students and Parents
Students and parents found the minister's remark demeaning and insensitive, especially the comparison of students to 'farm chickens.'
Government Officials
The education minister later apologized for his comments, acknowledging the difficulties faced by students due to the weather.
- Date of Protests
- July 17
- Number of Examinees
- 1.3 million
- Affected Districts
- 13 districts, including Dhaka, Chittagong, and Comilla
- Minister's Apology
- July 15
- Exam Start Date
- July 2
- Suspended Exams
- Five districts under the Chittagong Education Board
- Government Response
- Emergency meeting held on July 14; fresh exam arrangements announced