State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj has said the government is set to introduce cultural education for students in class four and five as part of efforts to strengthen cultural engagement in primary schools.
The proposed curriculum will offer students opportunities to participate in a range of creative disciplines, including recitation, Quranic recitation (Qirat), dance, drama and music.
Students and their parents will be able to choose subjects according to their interests, he said, adding that there is no room for unnecessary controversy over cultural education.
He made the remarks while addressing the second day of a two-day Rabindra-Nazrul Festival as the chief guest on Thursday. The event was organized by the Department of Music at Jagannath University with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Highlighting the importance of music, Bobby Hajjaj said it is deeply connected to human emotions and serves as a powerful medium for expressing joy, sorrow, love and other feelings. Music, he noted, plays a vital role in reflecting people's experiences, emotions and relationships.
Referring to the relationship between culture and religion, the state minister said the two are often unnecessarily portrayed as opposing forces. In reality, he said, music has long played a significant role in expressing spirituality, history and human values. He added that Islamic history also contains numerous examples of music being used to inspire people and bring them closer to the Creator.
Paying tribute to Bengali literary icons Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, the state minister their contributions to the development of the Bengali language, literature, culture and heritage are immeasurable. He noted that newer generations will naturally interpret the works of Tagore, Nazrul and other literary and cultural figures through the lens of their own experiences and perspectives.
Speaking on language, he said language is constantly evolving and that while modes of expression may change over time, the use of standard Bengali in educational institutions must be ensured. The government, he added, remains committed to promoting its proper use.
The state minister also addressed employment opportunities for graduates of music, fine arts and drama departments. He said the government is working to make it easier for graduates from these disciplines to pursue teaching careers in primary schools in the future.
