Religious Misinterpretation-Political Reasons Oppose Curriculum: Education Minister

He said this at the opening ceremony of the program titled 'Expansion of National Curriculum and Training of Head Teachers Nationwide' at International Mother Language Institute Auditorium on Wednesday (March 29).

Referring to the opposition to the implementation of the national curriculum, the Minister of Education Dr. Dipu Moni said, 'Opposition is due to political opposition in an election year. There is another side — those who abuse religion for narrow political gains.'

In the chief guest's speech at the inauguration ceremony of the training of head teachers, the education minister said, 'Just as there has been a conspiracy with the Padma Bridge, many obstacles are also being created with the new curriculum. I and several others including the author of the book Zafar Iqbal Bhai (Educator Muhammad Zafar Iqbal) were attacked with foul language. Some have said that the skin should be thickened, the back should be tied. But we are not a vessel to be suffocated. In order to move our country forward, to build the future of the new generation, and to reach the dream place with which the country was created in return for so many sacrifices - we have to do whatever we have to do now. It is our duty. It is our responsibility. We must observe it.'

The education minister said, "It is an election year, there is political opposition." It exists in all countries, it exists in our country too. Our country may be different, toxit. Here (Bangladesh) if we oppose there is one side - who wants to wipe out our side. Grenades, bombs, shooting, various methods. On election front, they are very active. Not much issue-tissue is available against Sheikh Hasina. So an attempt has been made to oppose the curriculum and books. Another party abuses religion for narrow political gains. If students learn to think, if our students learn to differentiate between good and bad, white and black, if students learn to think carefully, then they can no longer be brainwashed. The main function of this cycle is brainwashing. That can't be done, that's why they object so much.'

Mentioning that many are opposing coaching and note-guides, the Education Minister said, 'Coaching is not all bad. Coaching is not bad, business is not bad either. But those who force the students to go for coaching instead of teaching in the classroom, earn extra money from it, there is a problem. Those who do this work, coaching students, have a great fear, and the fear is not unreasonable. Because, once this curriculum is implemented, coaching will not be required. Another party has note book-guide book, they also fear that once the new curriculum is implemented, note book-guide book will not be needed. Their fear is not unfounded. If this curriculum is implemented, note book-guide book will not be required.

The education minister said, 'There is another class, whose share in the society is huge, they like status. That is to say, what I am, I remain in the middle of the day - what is the change again? We don't want change. There is something else - let my son pass, change after that. A kind of skepticism, doubt works towards something new. But no matter how much opposition there is, no matter how many conspiracies, no matter how many obstacles there are — the new curriculum will be implemented. Our students will be global citizens. Rest assured, we will feel proud, we can say with conviction that we will see the change in the children in the coming year. This is what we must do to take our country to where we want it to be, our commitment to the next generation. There may be criticism, there may be obstacles, there may be obstacles. May resort to foul language again,

Deputy Minister of Education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, educationist Prof. Zafar Iqbal, Senior Secretary of Technical and Madrasah Education Department spoke as special guests in the event. Kamal Hossain, Secondary and Higher Education Department Secretary Molaiman Khan, UNICEF Chief of Education Deepa Shankar.

Director General of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education Professor Nehal Ahmed also attended the opening ceremony - Former Director General of the Department of Secondary and Higher Education Dr. Md. Golam Farooq, Director General of Madrasa Education Department Habibur Rahman. Chairman of National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Professor Farhadul Islam delivered the welcome address on the occasion.

Principal teachers from all over the country were connected virtually in the inaugural ceremony.