Turning off music for kids in the time struggle

"Na, na, na, pakhitar buke jeno teer mero na/ Oke gaite dou/ or kontho theke gaan kero na/ or gaani je ful fotar prerona....
(Don't shoot an arrow at a bird, don’t stop her from singing as her song is the inspiration for the flowers to bloom)'

Music is unknowingly embedded in a kid's life right from the time it is born, like the sunshine. When a child first learns to hum a tune, it also learns to love as the melody of the song is created in the tender heart unconsciously. Music is not just an entertainment tool or a form of art, but also a lesson in humanity.

That is why the recent decision of the interim government of Bangladesh to stop the recruitment of music teachers in primary schools created a mental block. This is not just an administrative change, but also a deep cultural shock. Just two months after the publication of the 'Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules, 2025', the government has amended it and eliminated the opportunity to recruit teachers in music and physical education.

According to the earlier announcement, there would be four types of posts for teachers - head teachers, assistant teachers, assistant teachers (music), and assistant teachers (physical education). However, the revised rules have retained only the posts of head teachers and assistant teachers. This change came after pressure and threats of agitation from some religious-based political parties.

The government has said, 'The appointment of such a small number of teachers will not give effective benefits at the primary education level, but will rather create inequality.' If funds become available in the future, the creation of a post for music and physical education teachers in all schools can be considered. But the question is - if this is not the right time, then when will it come? By then, won't the lives of the tender ones be poisoned in this persistent anarchic environment?

This land of Bangla was born through songs, grew in songs. Jari, Sari, Baul, Bhatiali, Nazrul, Rabindra, Dwijendra, these names are not only heritage, but also echoes of the melody of our soul. In childhood, a child's melody blooms before the child can speak - the mother hums and sways her child to sleep in the cradle. Music is not only entertainment but also one of the tools for the child's mental development. Learning to sing means learning the coordination of words, melody, rhythm, mind, and intellect.

When children learn to sing, they also learn compassion, sensitivity, and humanity.

In Bangladesh, the land of rivers, when a boatman sings 'Padmaar Dheure... (waves of River Padma)' while rowing from one place to another, his body and mind are doubled in strength. This bond of melody with life is the soul of our culture.

In the liberation war of a nation where music was one of the motivating forces. So why such a decision? Why in a country whose constitution has a promise of secularism, give in to fundamentalist demands? We do not want to be hard-line, we do not want to hurt anyone's religion, but if the backbone of culture is broken, the future of the nation will be dark.

If there is no music in the voices of children in these violent times, what will be born from it? War? Violence? And division...

Music softens people's hearts, calms them, and teaches them the lesson of love. Not opening the door to music education means blocking the wide door of the minds of future generations.

Music is the notation of life. Not only art, but also the foundation of mental well-being. Revoking the decision to teach music in primary education also means depriving children of joy, humanity, and beauty.

So I say-Na, na, na, pakhitar buke jeno teer mero na/ Oke gaite dou/ or kontho theke gaan kero na/ or gaani je ful fotar prerona....
(Don't shoot an arrow at a bird, don’t stop her from singing as her song is the inspiration for the flowers to bloom)'

Let that song bloom in the mouths of our children too, where there is music, not hatred, but love is born. We don't want a childhood without music.