Following extensive revision and InDesign work, 133 out of 137 textbooks for primary and secondary students are now awaiting printing order, according to reports. Printing will hopefully start next month with a sharp focus on reaching the 308.31 million textbooks to the learners at the two levels by December before the new academic year. This includes the four new subject-based books on sports, culture, 'learning with happiness' and vocational education, work on which is now progressing.
Clearly, the major work has been completed. But what looks intriguing is the speed at which the revision of textbooks has been made. This new government of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party took over on February 17 last. Only four and a half months or five months in its tenure, the government has restructured contents, particularly those involving the liberation war of Bangladesh. Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), Fakhrul Maula claims that serious attempts have been made to portray the role of the political leaders and war heroes impartially and objectively during the nine-month war. The history of independence has been presented on the basis of verified information and documents. Even the controversial issues of the past have been resolved on the basis of authentic records.
The problem with petty politics in developing countries is that it tends to make use of historical facts as a tool of self promotion. When the authenticity of facts does not suit political convenience, it is either disparaged or undermined in order to advance narratives far from truth. There are partisan historians and intellectuals who are ever ready to please their political patrons. Unbiased and impartial historians and scholars with integrity are not invited to resolve controversial issues. In cases like this, the best option is to constitute a national committee with representatives of distinguished scholarship and high-calibre research background with no allegiance to any party politics.
If the claim made by the NCTB chairman proves reasonably sound, it would be an impressive achievement. One particularly positive outcome in this regard is the restoration of March 7 speech delivered by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in history, Bangladesh and Biswa Parichoy (introduction to the world) books. The famous speech was removed from the Bangla textbook at the secondary level last year. Report has it that addition will be made to the four national leaders. But one troubling question remains about the collaborators of the Pakistani military during the liberation war. Has it been adequately dealt with?
No doubt, there is a need for presenting authentic history before the young learners. Politicising historical facts may prove expedient for the time being but ultimately it does not serve the national cause. The country has a most reliable history of the liberation war in the shape of the 15-volume "Bangladesher Swadhinata Juddha: Dalilpatra" (Bangladesh Liberation War: Documents) to source from. These are authentic records and should be the basis of all successive contents in textbooks for young learners. No distortion or exaggeration should be entertained.
Apart from the political history, the inclusion of artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced digital technology, data analysis and practical application of technology for students from class 6 to 12 is most appropriate and timely. Then there will be books on games and sports as well as culture. One of these books is meant to give some basic ideas about football, cricket, badminton, athletic, chess, karate and swimming. The book on culture will deal with cultural activities like music, paintings, recitation etc.
Certainly, these are good initiatives but has there been any initiative to create a pool of teachers and physical trainers who can do justice to games and sports as well as cultural pursuits by children? So far these areas have remained neglected. If sports and cultural issues are given due importance, competent staffs should be readied beforehand.
What 'learning with happiness' to be introduced experimentally to class 6, really is has not been made clear. In fact, the entire learning process in schools has to be made enjoyable to learners. If classroom teaching is not appealing to students, learning becomes a casualty. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the teaching method aimed at eliminating guide books and coaching centres.
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