Around 40 million primary and secondary school students across the country have begun receiving new textbooks, marking a significant shift in content and narrative. Published by the interim government, these revised textbooks have introduced notable changes, including the omission of certain historical accounts, literary works, and political portrayals.
One of the most significant changes lies in the depiction of history. Content related to the Liberation War and the emergence of independent Bangladesh has been revised, with exaggerated accounts and personal glorifications of political figures being removed. The biographies of politicians now adopt a more neutral tone, focusing on their contributions rather than personal devotion. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) confirmed that after the August 5 student uprising, the government suspended the curriculum introduced by the previous Awami League government. Instead, textbooks were revised based on the 2012 curriculum, with 41 NCTB experts revising 441 textbooks.
The revised textbooks no longer feature the image of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or her quotes on the back cover. Instead, graffiti and slogans from the July Uprising have been included. Several new stories, poems, and essays have been added to the Bengali and English books, replacing works by prominent authors such as Begum Rokeya, Selina Hossain, Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, and others. For example, the fifth-grade Bengali book now includes the article “We Will Not Forget You,” featuring pictures of martyrs from the July Uprising, including Abu Sayeed and Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mughda. Following controversy, the name of martyr Nahian in the printed version was corrected to Nafisa in the online edition.
Focus on key historical figures
A new chapter titled “Our Four Leaders” has been added to the third-grade Bangladesh and World Identity book. This chapter highlights the contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Tajuddin Ahmed, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani, and General Ataul Gani Osmani as pivotal figures in the history of 1971.
Late President Ziaur Rahman is recognized as the proclaimer of independence, while former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is featured in a section on “Women in Politics.” The revisions have also impacted the representation of literature. Works by authors such as Syed Shamsul Haque, Nirmalendu Gun, and Roknuzzaman Khan have been omitted, along with a piece by former bureaucrat Kamal Chowdhury. The changes in the textbooks reflect the interim government’s effort to reshape the curriculum in light of recent political and social developments. While some welcome the revisions as a move towards a more balanced narrative, others have raised concerns over the omission of significant literary and historical contributions. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has introduced significant changes in the textbooks for primary and secondary students this year. These modifications reflect a shift in content, with several chapters, stories, and poems omitted and new material added.
Primary level changes
At the primary level, seven prose and poems were removed, while eight new ones were introduced. Grade 1: The story of the ant and the pigeon was added to the Bengali textbook, replacing earlier examples. The chapter “Liberation War and Victory” was renamed “Our Liberation War,” with a new Liberation War scene replacing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s picture. Grade 2: The story of the lion and the rat was introduced, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s biography “Sonar Chele” was replaced with “Dukhu Mia’s Life,” highlighting Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Grade 3: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s biography was removed from the Bangladesh and World Introduction book, replaced by “Our Four Leaders,” featuring Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Tajuddin Ahmed, and others. The English prose on Sheikh Russell was omitted. Grade 4: Prose like “Banglar Khoka” and poems such as “Mujib Mane Mukti” were replaced with new entries, including “Tunu’s Words” and “Swadhinatar Sukh.” The context of diversity and natural resources in Bangladesh was updated. Grade 5: Content on the July Mass Uprising was added, while the Liberation War chapter saw additions and deletions. Maps and changes to chapter titles, such as renaming “Middle Ages” to “Muslim Rule,” were made.
Secondary level changes
The Bengali textbook for grades 9-10 saw the omission of seven prose pieces and four poems, replaced by two new prose entries, including one on the July Uprising. Bengali: Works by Rabindranath Tagore, Zahir Raihan, and Humayun Ahmed were adjusted. While some pieces were retained, others, like “Rakte Bheja Ekush,” were replaced by new content. English: The chapter “Father of the Nation” was removed from the “English for Today” book, replaced by three new chapters: “Sense of Self,” “Loneliness,” and “Graffiti.”
Focus on the July uprising
The July Uprising has been prominently featured across textbooks, with graffiti, prose, and poems added to highlight its historical significance. According to an NCTB official, the changes aim to modernize the curriculum while reflecting the historical and cultural shifts in the country. The revisions were made after consultations with experts and in response to public feedback. These updates are expected to provide students with a refreshed and balanced perspective on history, literature, and cultural identity.
The Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), Professor Riazul Hasan, has outlined significant changes made in the new textbooks for the current academic year. Speaking to the media, he highlighted four key revisions aimed at ensuring a more balanced and objective representation of history and political figures.
Key revisions
Professor Hasan explained that the revisions were made with a focus on historical accuracy and fairness. The four major changes include: Respect for National Leaders: Efforts have been made to ensure that all national leaders are given their due respect and recognition according to their rightful place in history.
Removal of Excessive Veneration of Bangabandhu: The excessive veneration of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, has been reduced. According to Professor Hasan, this was done to avoid belittling his contributions.
Removal of Political Imagery: The image and words of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the back cover of the textbooks have been removed, along with references to the autocratic government.
Omission of Government Achievements: The list of government achievements during the tenure of Dr. Dipu Moni has been removed from the inside of the book cover, as it was deemed inconsistent with the character of the textbook. In response to concerns over the removal of certain writings, Professor Hasan emphasized that alternative content on similar topics has been included. For instance, while writings by Selina Hossain and Muhammad Zafar Iqbal on the Liberation War were removed, other relevant writings on the same subject have been added.
Rakhal Raha, a member of the revision committee, expressed strong views on the need for change in the textbooks. He criticized the long-standing process of glorifying a single family and their political ideology, stating, “For the past 15 and a half years, there has been a process of establishing one person, one family and their fascist political philosophy in every textbook. We have tried to break away from that and present an educational, objective, and truthful history.”
Raha also pointed out that the textbooks had previously portrayed the Liberation War as the achievement of a single individual. The revision committee, however, has sought to highlight the contributions of all leaders who played a pivotal role in the Liberation War. Despite the challenges of revising everything in a short time, Raha assured that significant progress had been made.
The changes reflect a broader shift toward a more balanced and inclusive portrayal of history, with a focus on presenting a truthful and objective narrative. These revisions are expected to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the nation’s history among students, emphasizing the collective contributions of all leaders in the Liberation War.
