A section of teachers from leading public and private universities has raised concerns over the recent formation of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Textbook Revision Committee, citing a conspicuous absence of curriculum experts among its members.
Faculty members from the Institute of Education and Research and education departments of Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong University, Jagannath University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh Open University, BRAC University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University, and other universities expressed the concerns in a formal statement issued on Sunday.
They emphasized that qualified educators are essential for effectively analyzing and revising educational materials that shape the future of the nation’s students.
“The success of educational reforms hinges on the inclusion of specialists who have dedicated their careers to curriculum studies,” the statement read. It highlighted that without the insight of experienced professionals, the committee risks undermining its own goals.
The educators underscored the importance of integrating curriculum experts who possess extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field.
They pointed out that merely appointing individuals with academic credentials does not guarantee the necessary expertise to tackle the complexities of curriculum development and textbook revision.
“We believe that only those who have engaged deeply with the pedagogical landscape can bring about meaningful changes,” according to a teacher from Dhaka University. “Without their input, the revisions may fall short of addressing the actual needs of students and teachers.”
The call for action has resonated throughout the academic community, urging the government to reevaluate the committee’s composition.
The statement advocates for the inclusion of qualified experts who can navigate the ongoing challenges within the education sector, ensuring that the curriculum is not only relevant but also effective in fostering critical thinking and creativity among students.
The signatories include Prof Mohammad Ali Jinnah from the Institute of Education and Research, Dhaka University; Associate Prof Dr Happy Kumar Das from the Institute of Education and Research, Rajshahi University; and lecturer Bayezid Islam from BRAC Institute of Educational Development, BRAC University.
Demands to add Islamic scholars to committee
The National Teachers Forum has called for the inclusion of Islamic scholars in the committee responsible for revising textbooks in Bangladesh.
During a meeting on Sunday, Prof Nashir Uddin Khan, president of the forum, expressed concerns that the committee currently lacks Islamic representation, which is vital for verifying the presence of religious ideologies and moral values in educational materials.
He emphasized the importance of including individuals with deep religious knowledge to ensure thorough revisions and appropriate feedback.
The forum also requested the removal of any controversial committee members, advocating for a more representative approach to educational reform.
On September 21, the government formed a 10-member coordination committee for the revision and amendment of all textbooks prepared and published by the NCTB.
Dr KM Kabirul Islam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education, has been appointed as the convener, with Ianur Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, serving as the member secretary.
The other members of the committee include education researcher Rakhal Raha, Prof Kamrul Hasan Mamun from the Department of Physics at Dhaka University, Prof Mohammad Azam from the Bengali Department, Associate Prof Samina Luthfa Nitra from the Department of Sociology, Additional Secretary Masud Akhtar Khan from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, NCTB Chairman Prof Dr AKM Riazul Hasan, NCTB Curriculum Committee Member Prof Raviul Kabir Chowdhury, and NCTB Primary Curriculum Member Prof AFM Sarwar Jahan.
The committee will work to ensure that the curriculum's goals and objectives are reflected in textbooks, make necessary revisions, ensure publishable quality by assessing content, writing purpose, and language, and check for proper representation of national philosophy, history, social values, religious ideologies, and moral values.
Additionally, it will ensure that textbook tasks align with the curriculum's teaching strategies, identify sensitive content, and coordinate all textbook revision activities.
On September 1, the Ministry of Education announced that the new curriculum introduced under the previous government is not feasible for implementation.
Teaching based on the revised curriculum will begin in 2026, with finalization in 2025, incorporating input from educators, curriculum specialists, evaluation experts, and civil society and parent representatives.