Sheikh Hasina's photo to be removed from textbooks

Sheikh Hasina's photo will not be included in the primary and secondary textbooks from the next year.

Instead, graffiti on the July mass uprising will be added to the textbooks. At the same time, a lot of changes are being made in the history dependent subjects, said sources from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

However, even though only two months of the year are left, NCTB has not yet completed the revision of the textbook to prepare for printing. As a result, there is uncertainty about handing over new books to all students at the beginning of the year.

In this regard, NCTB chairman Professor AKM Riazul Hasan on Monday (October 28) morning said, “The issue of adding a chapter on the July mass uprising is under discussion. But not yet finalised. Good quality writing will be added. For that, the approval of the ministry will be required. However, some paintings and drawings about the uprising have appeared in various books.”

He said Indian companies got the job of printing some books. However, due to criticism, they have been excluded and local printing houses have been given the responsibility of printing the textbooks.

NCTB Chairman said, “NCTB is working on revising the textbooks for next year in the light of the syllabus made in 2012. Already the first and second grades’ books have been sent to the press for printing. Books for other classes will be printed gradually. Hopefully, all the printings will be completed by December. We are trying our best to reach the revised textbooks to the students in the month of January. Companies involved in printing have been asked to provide new books by December 31.”

Sources concerned said the Ministry of Education of the interim government turned its back on the new curriculum or National Curriculum Outline-2021. The revised curriculum will be finalised in 2025 and will be implemented from 2026. Before that, in 2025, the books of the 2012 syllabus will be revised and handed over to the students.