Bangladesh’s interim government has taken a controversial decision to halt the appointment of music and physical education teachers in government primary schools. The government, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus, is facing accusations of caving to pressure from religious fundamentalist organizations. This decision has raised serious questions about educational freedom and cultural values in the country.
What did the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education of Bangladesh announce?
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Primary and Mass Education announced on Monday that no new positions for music teachers will be created in government primary schools. The ministry has also abolished positions for physical education teachers. Senior ministry official Masood Akhtar Khan confirmed that the recent rule amendments only create two types of assistant teacher positions: general and religious studies. Music and physical education are not included.
When asked if the decision was made under pressure from religious groups, he declined to comment. However, local media reports say the decision came after warnings from fundamentalist organizations, who demanded that only teachers teaching religious subjects be appointed in primary schools.
The move is reminiscent of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, where music education was completely banned. Experts believe the Yunus administration is gradually moving in the same direction of religious rigidity.
Influence of Islamic fundamentalist organizations in Bangladesh
Indeed, since the Sheikh Hasina government’s ouster, the influence of Islamic fundamentalist organizations has grown in Bangladesh. They are not only influencing government policies but also openly threatening to take to the streets if their conditions are not met. In September, several Islamic groups in Dhaka, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khilafat Majlis, and others, protested, saying the appointment of music teachers was anti-religious and unfair.
Syed Rezaul Karim, head of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, even said that music teachers would destroy the moral character of our children. He warned the Yunus government that if their demands were not met, they would launch a nationwide movement.
