A group of 80 respected individuals and 18 cultural institutions have strongly criticized the current government’s decision to cancel the recruitment plan for music and physical education teachers in primary schools, labeling it as a backward step. The dissenting voices, gathered under the umbrella of the National Movement for Protection of Education and Culture, pointed out that the move was influenced by a faction advocating for the appointment of religious teachers over music instructors, despite the presence of religion teachers in schools already.
Emphasizing the crucial role of primary education in shaping a child’s moral, cultural, and personal growth, the coalition highlighted the significance of music in nurturing patriotism and aesthetics, and physical education in instilling discipline and teamwork. They argued that in today’s digital era, where children are increasingly confined by screen addiction, music and physical activities serve as essential tools for enhancing creativity and concentration.
Referencing global norms, the statement highlighted that nations like Japan, Finland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar, Malaysia, the Maldives, and Indonesia have made music, fine arts, and physical education compulsory in primary schools. The coalition demanded the immediate reversal of the decision to scrap the recruitment plan and the restoration of the previous gazette, which mandated the inclusion of music, fine arts, and physical education in primary and secondary school curricula, along with the hiring of specialized teachers for these subjects.
The statement was spearheaded by Mahmud Selim, with the support of eminent figures including Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, artist Anwar Hossain, playwright Mamunur Rashid, journalist Abed Khan, author Selina Hossain, poet Nirmalendu Goon, Fauzia Moslem, lawyer ZI Khan Panna, AN Rasheda, Prof MM Akash, Niranjan Adhikari, journalist Sohrab Hassan, and activist Khushi Kabir. Notable leaders from teacher associations, including Jahangir Hossain, Nure Alam Biplob, Md Abul Kashem, Mostafizur Rahman Shine, Muhammad Ilias Hossain, Tushar Chandan, and Shahinur Al-Amin, also lent their support as signatories.
Among the endorsing organizations were Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, Sangeet Sangathan Samannay Parishad, Nazrul Sangeet Shilpi Parishad, Ganosangeet Samannay Parishad, Shilpakala Bidyalay Jote, Bangladesh Baul O Loko Shilpi Sangstha, Zahir Raihan Chalachitra Sangsad, Bulbul Lalitakala Academy, Central Khelaghar Asar, and Bangladesh Students’ Union, among others.