Stop radicalisation in textbooks

The government must stop radicalisation in the textbooks as “prescribed by the communal forces,” otherwise the spirit of Liberation War and secularism will be threatened, said speakers at a roundtable in the capital yesterday.

The radicalised textbooks cannot enlighten the students' conscience; rather, the mindset will bar them from accepting all religions and cultures, they added while discussing at the programme on “Bangladesher Shikkhadharar Gotiprokiti” organised by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), a citizens' platform advocating good governance, at Jatiya Press Club.

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said the purpose of the education is to develop inquisitive minds among students so that they ask questions, which the present education system lacks.

“Education has been Radicalised, commercialised and politicised. That's why, the purpose of the education is not being fulfilled. This attempt is self-killing. This process will lead us to darkness,” he observed.

The government will bring positive changes in the textbooks soon, he hoped, urging everybody to be vocal in this regard.

Haider Akbar Khan Rono, a presidium member of Communist Party of Bangladesh, said the government brought changes in the textbooks as per the demand of Hefajat. “It is shameful," he added.

Prof AN Rasheda gave a keynote presentation while noted local government expert Prof Tofail Ahmed, Dhaka University teacher Robayet Ferdous, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum Secretary General Sanjeeb Drong, among others, spoke.