The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mostafa Kamal Majumder

A controversy is now on regarding a series of changes that have been brought to the school text books published by the National Curriculum and Text Book Board. Allegations are there that some of the changes have gone even beyond the bipartisan types of changes to contents of books that the nation observed during the 15 years of two-party rule beginning in 1991.

If NCTB books create controversy even during the rule of the non-partisan caretaker government, then the relevant authorities may possibly have to consider also reform of the NCTB with a view to making it neutral. What, for instance, the NCTB has aimed to achieve by deleting the role of those great leaders who envisioned the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and had taken it to a shape before its formal launch in 1985.

From where school students would know that the proposal to form the regional group, mooted by Bangladesh, was at the beginning viewed with suspicion by both India and Pakistan which have over time emerged as its very influential players. From where pupils would learn that it was former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at who's instance the words 'Association for' were added to the first proposed name 'South Asian Regional Cooperation,' of the group, and that the move to form the group was from its very outset spontaneously greeted from two capitals - Kathmandu and Colombo.

The changes that have been made to the books for the 2008 academic year relate not only to the contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which were highlighted more during the five years of the Awami League and those of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman whose contributions were in greater focus during the two terms of the BNP government. They even include interpretation of political movements and elections in a partisan manner, it has been alleged.

The chairman of the NCTB has been quoted as saying that the changes have been made by a committee which, if need be, can be modified. Question, however, arises as to whether NCTB authorities thought they would make their marks only if they change the emphasis that had been given in some chapters of different books. Could not they have done changes by avoiding the creation of fresh controversies?

When SAARC was formally launched in this historic city of Dhaka 23 years ago, only the host head of state and another head of government refrained from making reference to its founder - the late Ziaur Rahman. Five other heads of state or government had paid glowing tributes to him in their inaugural addresses that for some technical reasons were not broadcast live from its venue - the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Supplements sponsored by the then government and published in Dhaka dailies did also avoid making mention of Zia's name although news reports and analyses did not commit this omission. That's now history. Has the NCTB taken on itself the task of rewriting it, that too under a non-partisan government? Responsible quarters probably need to consider bringing the NCTB also under the process of institutional reforms - as has been done in respect of the Election Commissioin, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Service Commission - so that text book lessons do not change with the change of government in future.