History should be a compulsory subject

Educationalists at a discussion yesterday stressed the need to make history a compulsory subject at every level of education.
There is no scope to study the subject at any of the 54 private universities or at the 2,233 MPO listed madrasas, said Dr Mohammad Selim, who presented the keynote speech at the discussion held at Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
Among the 34 public universities of the country, only six are providing facilities to study history, he added.
He further said there are no history teachers at school level and teachers of other subjects teach history.
Historian Muntasir Mamun said knowing history is important for raising patriotism and globalisation.
Shariar Kabir, renowned write and journalist, said curriculums used in educational institutions should be redesigned.
Prof Syed Anowar Hossain, Prof Mesbah Kamal and Gowher Rizvi, prime minister's international affairs adviser, among others, addressed the discussion.