Although some Islamist parties and religious organizations have raised questions about articles on adolescence in textbooks of mainstream schools, they choose to keep mum about similar texts in Qawmi madrasa books.
“Ma-la-Budda Minhu Kitab” is taught in seventh grade at Qawmi madrasas. It covers everything from the rules of intercourse to sex education.
According to the Ministry of Education, rumors were spread on social media to stir up debate about the teaching of adolescence in textbooks. Moreover, a newspaper also provoked debate by publishing news that a book for class six contains sexually explicit texts, which goes against Islam.
Speakers at a recent workshop said that since sex education is discussed in religious books or scriptures, people should not raise questions regarding some textbooks. Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the workshop held on March 27 at the Brac Centre in Ashulia.
Musleh Uddin Raju, vice president of Qawmi Madrasa Education Board Befaqul Madarisil Arabia Bangladesh (Befaq), said what Islam approves can be in textbooks. But it should be taught considering the age of the students.
“Sex education is also taught in Qawmi madrasas. But we removed the issue of bathing after sexual intercourse, which is fard, from the syllabus of a class considering that students do not become adults at this age. We have to see whether the religion allows it or not.”
Asked why there is so much controversy, he said: “There will be politics in Bangladesh. Some will say good things about a matter, while others will say bad. Someone else will bring up an error to the fore. Textbooks can also be wrong. It can be fixed. Others will sit tight to mark the mistakes. Many do it intentionally. Sometimes confusions are spread through Facebook.”
Regarding the debate, Prof Golam Rabbani of the Urdu department of Dhaka University said there is no objection to texts on adolescence or sex education.
Qawmi madrasa books “Ma-la-Budda Minhu Kitab” and “Bahishti Zewar” have information on sex.
“But many things have been said in the government's textbooks. In some cases, some things have been brought up through hints. I have heard that there is a message that pre-marital sex is not a big deal if there is consent. Can you imagine what can happen if this message is given by an organization?”
He noted that there is no problem in saying that there will be changes in the body and mind during the adolescent period.
NCTB Member (Education) Professor Md Mashiuzzaman said that there is nothing on consensual sex. It is a false campaign circulated on Facebook. “We gave our response. This is not in our books. I don't know where it came from.”
Education Minister Dipu Moni recently said the government will not backtrack because of false explanations and propaganda.
"In countries where the mother language is Arabic, children of all classes from grade two understand it. If you read from the holy Quran, then there is no problem. Since humans carry a heart and a reproductive system in the body, there should not be any problem learning about it.”
She alleged that the debate was created since it is the election year, and there are political opponents.
