NCTB withdraws 2 textbooks amid controversy

The curriculum board today withdrew two school textbooks in the wake of controversies over some contents, a rare move that eminent educationists described as a "political decision" of the government which apparently gave in to the pressure from religion-based groups.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board member (curriculum) Prof Moshiuzzaman this evening confirmed that they were withdrawing "History and Social Science: An Inquiry-based Reader" books for class 6 and 7.

"We are withdrawing the books as there has been a lot of criticism regarding the books and these two books have too much information on ancient history, which is tough for students of class 6 and 7," he added.

Besides, Prof Moshiuzzaman said, at least four chapters in the social science books of class 6 and 7, and some contents in the science book of class 6 will see the changes.

Many criticised the authorities after they published these four new textbooks with a number of mistakes and there is also an allegation of plagiarism in one of the textbooks distributed free among the students, in line with the fresh curriculum introduced, on the first day of this year.

Besides, Islamist groups, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, are claiming that these four books for class 6 and 7 are imposing the "debatable" Darwin's theory of evolution on students and demeaning the Islamic veil system for women.

They also said the textbooks depicted "bearded men wearing Islamic prayer caps as collaborators of 1971 Liberation War "although this has no historical basis and others".

Several mistakes were also found in three textbooks for the ninth and tenth grades. NCTB in mid-January issued corrections to mistakes in books for class 9 and 10 books.

Late last month, the education ministry formed two probe committees to identify mistakes in textbooks and ascertain whether the errors were the result of any negligence of NCTB officials.

Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury said the withdrawal of textbooks "was a political decision in the face of demands made by some religious groups".

"We don't find such debates over English medium or madrasa books. But we see it in the case of the Bangla medium, which is our mainstream… in the past, the authorities also showed the tendency to compromise by dropping contents following demands of Hefajat," he added.

On the debate over Darwin's theory of evolution, he said there is no disagreement that it is scientifically proven.

Brac University Professor Emeritus Manzoor Ahmed said the decision of withdrawing two textbooks came amid controversy and criticism from religion-based groups. "It seems to me such a decision is one kind of surrender of government," he told this newspaper.

"The government did not make the decision following proper procedures. As they have formed two probe committees, they could have reached a decision following their reports," he opined.

Asked whether they have taken the step under pressure from religious groups, Prof Moshiuzzaman evaded a direct answer by saying, "We made the decision keeping in mind different types of criticisms."

In 2017, writings of famous authors were scrapped because they were either non-Muslims or the contents were disliked by Islamists, said a former NCTB member, who was involved in the process. He added the exclusions were done on instructions from "higher authorities".

On condition of anonymity, an NCTB official said no textbooks were fully withdrawn since at least 2010.

Also yesterday, Education Minister Dipu Moni said, "We will prepare one new book each for sixth and seventh grade. The topics that are being talked about will not be studied in classrooms."

Regarding criticisms from various quarters, Dipu Moni, while speaking at a programme in Chandpur, said, "There is nothing anti-Islamic in these books. Still, we listen to people. we also give importance to it and respect it."