Marine Fisheries Academy Reopens 27 Sep. Stalemate over CDC, other issues remain unresolved

Marine Fisheries Academy Reopens 27 Sep. Stalemate over CDC, other issues remain unresolved→ Nirjhar Mazumder( by Daily Sun News )

Date: 24.09.2011

Marine Fisheries Academy will reopen on 27 September after three and a half months although the stalemate over Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and other issues still remain unresolved.

The authorities closed the academy for 15 days after driving the agitating cadets out of the campus with the help of police on 14 June.

Some 30 cadets were injured as the authorities engaged the police to drive out the cadets who had been boycotting classes and examinations demanding several points since 11 June.

Later, the authorities announced that the academy would remain closed sine die as the cadets continued agitation.

But the cadets said they are not joining the classes and would continue agitation until their demands are met.

The demands include unconditional issuance of CDC, recognising academic sea-time training as pre sea-time required for boarding on a ship, service rules for fishing vessels and government steps to rid them of “discrimination” and bring them under policy not to sideline with Direct Entry cadets.

Instead of satisfying their demands, the authorities have rather formed a three-member disciplinary committee to punish the cadets who led the agitation on the campus on 14 June, alleged ex-cadet Md Nahid while talking to daily sun.

However, Education Officer Md Moniruz-zaman of the academy denied the allegation.

“No such committee was formed and we are trying hard to restore normalcy at the academy”, he said.

Meanwhile, the cadets also threatened to go for fast-unto-death if the authorities force them to join classes in the academy without meeting their demands.

Some cadets of the 28th Batch said they are ready to face any situation since their academic career is of a little value without recognition and certificate.

Earlier on 20 June during the agitation, the cadets met Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas who assured them of solving their problems.

They also met Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and submitted a memorandum to the prime minister on 31 July.

Following an order issued by the fisheries and livestock minister on 25 July, the authorities removed the then principal of the academy and appointed Captain Quamrul Haque Chowdhury who joined the academy on 12 September.

Besides, there is virtually no headway in fulfilling the demands and break the stalemate, observed the cadets.

Though the fisheries and livestock ministry seems to be sincere about the demands, the Office of Director General of Shipping is standing on the way, they alleged.

However, none from the DG Shipping office could be contacted for comment.

When contacted, Fisheries Secretary Ujjal Bikash Barua said that steps are under way to solve the problems.

Mentionable, at both Marine Academy and Marine Fisheries Academy the cadets get admitted through tough admission tests after passing Higher Secon-dary Certificate (HSC) Examinations and have to complete maritime education and training following international syllabus before attending Class 3 for Certificate of Compet-ency.

Direct entry cadets attend Class 3 directly without undergoing maritime education and training through spending higher amount of money (amounting to Tk 0.6 million to Tk 0.8 million per head) after passing the HSC examinations.

Cadets passing out from Marine Academy after completing a two-year BMS course obtain CDC through DG Shipping and then they need 12-month sea-time (nautical) and six-month sea-time and six-month workshop (engineering) to attend the class 3.

Despite completing three-year courses following same curriculum and under the same teachers and instructors like Marine Academy Cadets do, Marine Fisheries Academy cadets are given CDC on condition of undergoing a foundation course.

After that like the Direct Entry cadets, they require 36-month sea-time (nautical) and 24-month sea-time and 12-month workshop (engineering) before attending Class 3 for Certificate of Competency.