Ziaur Rahman’s ‘Memories of the Liberation War’ to enter 2027 textbooks

An article written by former president Ziaur Rahman, titled “Memories of the Liberation War”, will be included in the Bangla Literature textbook for ninth and tenth graders from the 2027 academic year.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) said the decision was approved by the National Curriculum Coordination Committee (NCCC), clearing the way for the article’s inclusion in the secondary-level textbook.

NCTB Chairman Prof Mohammad Fakhrul Mawla said the move was intended to present students with the contributions of different individuals to the Liberation War in what he described as an objective manner.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry said the NCCC approved the inclusion at a meeting chaired by its secretary on August 24.

Ziaur Rahman’s textbook profile will identify him as a former president and army chief, commander of Z Force, commander of Sector 1 and a recipient of the Bir Uttam gallantry award.

An introductory note to the article will state that Bangladesh’s independence was not the achievement of any single individual or political party.

It will also refer to the roles of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, A K Fazlul Huq, Maulana Bhashani, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman and Tajuddin Ahmad in the broader independence movement and Liberation War.

The article recounts Ziaur Rahman’s memories of events in Chattogram in March 1971, including preparations for armed resistance, the military revolt following the March 25 crackdown and early fighting with Pakistani forces.

It also describes the declaration broadcast from the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at Kalurghat on March 27.

NCTB curriculum officials said another work by Ziaur Rahman, “Birth of a Nation”, is also being considered as part of the revised Liberation War-related lessons for the 2027 textbooks.