DO letter issued for recruitment of religious teachers: Religious Adviser

A DO letter has been issued to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education regarding the appointment of individuals holding Dawra-e-Hadith certificates from Qawmi madrasas as religious teachers in primary schools, said Religious Affairs Dr A F M Khalid Hossain.

He disclosed the information while responding to questions from reporters at a press conference organised at the Ministry of Religious Affairs conference room at the Secretariat on Monday, October 13.

Regarding Hefazat-e-Islam’s demand to replace music teachers with religious teachers in primary schools, he said, “This matter does not directly fall under my ministry; it is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. However, since Hefazat and other Islamic scholars have raised objections to including music in the curriculum, I have suggested to the Adviser on Primary and Mass Education that discussions are necessary on this matter.”

He added, “The Adviser informed me that previously there was no separate post titled ‘religious teacher’. Assistant teachers used to teach all subjects including Bangla, English, Mathematics, Social Science, and Religion. However, the duration of religion classes has recently been extended.”

Dr Khalid Hossain said that within the first few months of assuming his duties, he sent a do letter to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, stating that individuals holding Dawra-e-Hadith certificates from Qawmi madrasas—equivalent to a Master’s degree in Arabic or Islamic Studies—are capable of teaching both religion and Bangla effectively in primary schools. The ministry has reportedly agreed to consider the proposal.

On the issue of music education, Dr Hossain said, “The Adviser on Primary and Mass Education informed me that although the introduction of music education was announced earlier, its implementation has not yet begun, and therefore, the recruitment process has not started either.”

In response to a question, he said, “We want Hindus to teach Hinduism, Buddhists to teach Buddhism, and Muslims to teach Islam. It is important to ensure that teachers of a particular faith are the ones teaching that religion.”

When asked about the current status of the decision to recruit religious teachers in primary schools, the Adviser said, “I cannot comment on that, as it is not under my ministry’s jurisdiction. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is reviewing Hefazat’s objections and the demands raised by various Islamic organisations.”

He further stated, “Although I am the Adviser on Religious Affairs, my ministry does not have the authority to make the final decision on this matter. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education will decide whether music remains in the curriculum and whether religious teachers will be appointed.”