New textbooks to depict July uprising, revise historical narratives

Following the fall of the fascist Awami League government, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) is going to revise textbooks for all grades from the upcoming academic year, with a particular focus on incorporating the spirit of the July uprising and re-evaluating historical narratives.

According to the NCTB, graffiti, wall art and calligraphy depicting the July uprising are being incorporated in the textbooks instead of inflated portrayals.

Besides, brief biographies of martyrs Abu Sayed and Mir Mugdha may be included in the revised edition of textbooks, several NCTB officials familiar with the matter told the Daily Sun.

In addition, the back covers of all textbooks, which currently display a photograph of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her quotes, will be removed.

Instead, the back covers of the textbooks will feature graffiti and calligraphy as symbols of the July uprising. 

Graffiti will appear on the back covers of Bangla, English, Social Studies, Science, and History books, while Islamic calligraphy will be used on Islamic Studies and madrasah religious textbooks, representing the spirit of the movement.

Additionally, the slogan "Building the Nation with Education, Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh" will be removed from the back cover.

As per the NCTB's editorial wing, there are plans to include a brief, impartial account of the July uprising in next year's textbooks.

Furthermore, discussions are ongoing regarding the inclusion of biographies of Abu Sayed and Mir Mugdha, who were martyred in the movement, in Bangla textbooks as national heroes.

However, this has not yet been finalised, though efforts are ongoing to include these topics as part of history.

When asked, NCTB Chairman Professor AKM Riazul Hasan told the Daily Sun, "The inclusion of graffiti as a tribute to the July uprising is almost finalised. However, it is still uncertain if the biographies of the martyrs will appear in the new textbooks."

He acknowledged that although initial discussions have occurred, the limited time frame presents challenges in writing and incorporating these biographies. If they can be completed within the time constraints, they may be included; otherwise, the plan may have to be shelved, he added.

During a visit to the NCTB office on Monday, it was observed that efforts were in full swing to complete the editing of new textbooks for distribution at the beginning of next year.

However, recent political changes led to increased revisions and additions across textbooks for all grade levels, resulting in delays.

As a result, manuscripts for most grade levels have yet to be finalised, creating uncertainty about whether all new textbooks will be ready for distribution at the beginning of the academic year, which is just two months away.

According to the NCTB, over 40 crore textbooks will be printed this year for distribution to students at all grade levels. 

This includes 12.09 crore books for primary students and 28.06 crore for secondary students. 

The total also covers textbooks for Ebtedayee (Islamic primary education), ethnic minority groups, and 8,500 Braille books for visually impaired students.

MM Mohsin Mia, owner of Bright Printing and Press, told the Daily Sun that time constraints are particularly challenging this year. He mentioned that recent staffing changes within the NCTB led to delays, as new employees are still adjusting to their roles, adding further pressure to complete the printing on time.

Changes in textbooks

NCTB officials indicate that various exaggerated stories of the Awami League government's developments and pictures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the inner parts of all textbooks will be removed.

Instead, the contributions of historical figures such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman, Tajuddin Ahmad, and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani are being included as heroes of history, with Ziaur Rahman's name being added as the proclaimer of independence. 

Additionally, while Begum Khaleda Zia's contributions to politics were previously denied, her name is now being included in the books. 

Moreover, rather than quoting Sheikh Hasina, timeless words from notable figures are being incorporated, according to sources.

Sources also indicate that minimal changes will be made to primary grade books from grades one to three. For grades four and five, revisions will include accurate spelling, some new contents, and adjustments to the questioning format.

In grades six through ten, substantial modifications are planned for subjects such as Bengali, English, History, Science, and Social Science.

In the eleventh-grade Bengali textbook, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal's work, Mohajagatik Curator, along with all his other writings, will be removed from science-related books. 

Additionally, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Days of '52 will be removed from the eleventh-grade Bengali textbook, though his historic 7th March speech will remain in the English textbook with fewer embellishments. 

Iconic speeches by Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela will also be included.

Progress of revisions

According to the NCTB, revisions of all textbooks are still ongoing. However, the manuscripts for grades one to three have been finalised and sent to the press. 

Manuscripts for grades four and five are expected to be sent to the press within the next day or two. Work on textbooks for secondary grades six to 10 is currently in progress, but NCTB officials have not yet confirmed when these revisions will be completed.

Meanwhile, although eleventh-grade classes started in August, students have not yet received new books. For the past three months, eleventh-grade lessons were conducted without books. 

Despite the NCTB completing revisions and preparing manuscripts for the eleventh-grade textbooks, printers have yet to begin the printing process. 

The printers argue that delays from the NCTB in finalising the books led students to download old copies from the internet, which has diminished demand for printed versions.

As a result, printing at the previous rate would lead to financial losses for the printers. 
However, NCTB officials stated that the textbooks for the eleventh grade would be sent to the press within this week, aiming to resolve these complications.

When asked, NCTB Chairman Professor AKM Riazul Hasan said, "We have resolved all complications regarding eleventh-grade textbooks. We hope students will receive their books within the next week."