Nursing students staged a protest rally at Dental Unit of Rangpur Medical College Hospital demanding that Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery course be recognized as equivalent to a degree.

On Thursday afternoon, students from Rangpur Government Nursing College and nearby private diploma nursing colleges took part in the protest.

During the event, teachers from various nursing colleges also expressed solidarity with the students` demands. The protesters held up placards and chanted slogans.

The students stated that although they have been demonstrating for the past 24 days, the government has yet to take any effective steps to resolve the issue.

They highlighted the discrimination where, despite completing a three-year course after passing SSC (secondary), they are awarded certificates equivalent to just HSC qualification. They argued that such inequality cannot be accepted in Bangladesh.

The students demanded the immediate issuance of a government notification granting degree equivalence. They also warned that if their demands are not met, they will continue and intensify their movement.