Protest demands reinstatement of music and physical education teacher posts

The Music Department of Dhaka University has held a protest rally demanding reinstatement of the posts of assistant teachers of ‘music’ and ‘physical education’ in government primary schools.

The programme began at 11 am on Thursday with the performance of the national anthem at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla. Teachers from the Music Department, as well as the Drama and Dance Departments, also showed solidarity with the protest.

During the protest, students from the Music Department said that music and physical education make a child a human being. Music is taught in all countries of the world because it keeps people away from crime. So why should there be a question about teaching music in our country?

The speakers said, 'Art and culture are needed to keep the state stable. A state cannot run on religion, music is essential there.’

DUCSU member Hema Chakma complained, ‘The government has decided to cancel music education under pressure from a specific group.’

Azizur Rahman Tuhin, a teacher in the music department, said, ‘Civilization survives on art, literature and culture. The decision to cancel music education will hinder the mental and physical development of the next generation. Therefore, this post must be reinstated immediately.’

On August 28, a notification was issued to create two assistant teacher posts for music and physical education in government primary schools. Later, several religious organizations opposed this decision. They claimed that the creation of the music teacher post was an ‘anti-Islamic agenda.’

Then, last Sunday, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education canceled these two posts. On Tuesday, the Office of the Chief Adviser said that effective benefits would not be obtained by appointing a limited number of teachers and that discrimination could be created. It was informed that the issue of creating these posts would be considered later if funds were available.