Several socio-cultural organisations on Tuesday condemned the interim government鈥檚 decision to cancel the positions for music and physical education teachers in government primary schools in the wake of criticism by Islamist groups.
The government in a notification on Sunday scrapped the positions by changing the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules 2025. The government on August 28 issued notification, introducing the position of two assistant teachers 鈥� one for music and the other for physical education.
After the August 28 notification, several Islamist parties, including the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and groups criticised the government, demanding that music teachers in primary schools be replaced with teachers for religious instruction.
Socio-cultural organisations on Tuesday called on the government to immediately revoke Sunday鈥檚 notification and reinstate the previous one, warning that, otherwise, the government would be responsible for the harm the nation would suffer because of the decision.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi in a statement said, 鈥楢mid threats from several religion-based groups, the government has made this decision, which shows its submissive stance towards a particular community.鈥�
The statement added that the inclusion of positions for music and physical education teachers in the Government Primary School Teacher Recruitment Rules 2025 was 鈥榓 ground-breaking initiative鈥� by the government and the result of long-standing advocacy by cultural activists.
However, the subsequent cancellation of the positions under pressure from a few religion-based groups has set a 鈥榳orrying precedent,鈥� it said.
In a statement, Naripokkho said, 鈥楳usic and physical education in no way contradict religion. They, rather, help people to become culturally aware and sensitive, leading them to become humane and mentally sound citizens.鈥�
Many countries, including T眉rkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia and Qatar, teach music in primary schools, the statement said, adding that physical exercise is essential for children鈥檚 physical, mental and intellectual development.
In separate statements, Charan Sangskritik Kendra and Socialist Students鈥� Front also urged the government to withdraw its latest decision on the issue.
