Students of Medical Assistant Training Schools (MATS) have blocked Shahbagh intersection in the capital today, to realise their four-point demand, including recruitment to vacant positions in the 10th grade and the creation of employment opportunities.

Around 12:30pm, MATS students under the banner of General MATS Students' Unity Council, blocked the intersection.

The remaining three demands are - abolishing the Health Professionals Board and forming a new board named the Medical Education Board of Bangladesh, ensuring opportunities for higher education in clinical subjects aligned with the MATS curriculum, and renaming Medical Assistant Training School to Medical Institute.

Md. Sakib Mahmud, member (Media Cell) of General MATS Students Unity Council, told The Daily Star, "Frustration among the students is increasing day by day. We have been protesting for the last 12 years with four demands. Despite assurances from the higher authorities at various times, our demands have not been met." Mohatashim Billah, a first-year student of MATS Bagerhat who participated in the protest, told The Daily Star,

"We will not leave the streets until our demands are met," he said.

MATS students said that there are more than 15,000 students studying at 17 government and over 200 private MATS institutions nationwide.