Class-VII textbook: Allegations of copying NatGeo are true

Professors Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Haseena Khan yesterday admitted that the allegations of plagiarising content from the National Geographic website for a science textbook for class-VII were true.

The two eminent teachers, who were among five associated with the book, released the statement yesterday following an uproar in social media regarding the issue.

Other authors of the book are: Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Khan, Mushtaq Ibn Ayub, and Roni Basak.

Two science textbooks were prepared in accordance with the new curriculum -- Science: Investigative Study; and Science: Exercise Book.

According to allegations made by a national daily in one of its articles, a particular section of the first chapter of the Science: Investigative Study book was taken from the National Geographic website and translated into Bangla using Google Translate.

"The allegations of plagiarism came to our attention. We compared that particular part of the book with an article in the National Geographic Education site and found the allegations to be true," said the professors in their joint statement.

"Though we did not take part in writing that particular part of that book, the responsibility comes on as we were the editors, and we accept this responsibility. Such allegations against any writer are disappointing and heartbreaking for the whole team," the statement further read.

The professors also said publishing a textbook is a laborious job and they expect dedication from all the authors involved in the process, especially the ones who are involved in writing national textbooks.

It was an experimental edition launched this year, they said, adding that necessary changes will be made in the next edition.

The team will also carefully consider opinions beyond the complaints and make the necessary changes before the next academic year, the statement added.

Meanwhile, National Curriculum and Textbook Board issued some corrections for the class-IX and -X textbooks titled, History of Bangladesh and World Civilisation, Bangladesh and Global Studies, and Civics and Citizenship.

The NCTB, in a statement released last night, said there were mistakes regarding starting time of "Operation Searchlight" that initiated the Liberation War, the background and context of framing the country's constitution, and the number of parties involved in the United Front Elections of 1954, among others.

Contacted, Prof Farhadul Islam, chairman of the NCTB, said they would send the corrections to all schools today.

On the issue of plagiarism in the class-VII textbook, he said, "Whatever the writers did was unethical. These books are experimental versions and we will look into them while developing the final version. However, the books need no corrections."