Bangabandhu in school books
Bangabandhu being the father of the nation and an integral part of Bangladesh’s history, it is only natural that the school textbooks include writings about the leader. While the books do have ample content on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as in the case of all textbook material, there are errors and flaws that need to be corrected. However, the children do have the opportunity to learn about the leader through their school books. Further revision of these writings would serve to introduce Sheikh Mujib all the better to the little ones.
NCTTB has inserted a chronological history and introduction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Father of the Nation and Bangabandhu in its series of school text books.
In ‘Amar Bangla Boi’, the Class-1 Bangla book, a chapter presents a brief history about our liberation war in 1971. With a black and white sketch of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the chapter tells the students about the valour of the country’s national heroes and the pioneer Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led them in the struggle to achieve independence.
Class-II students will find a thrilling story about liberation war. The story begins with declaration of independence on 7 March 1971 in the famous speech by Bangabandhu, a speech that motivated the masses and imbibed them with a strong spirit of courage and determination.
In ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ of Class-III, the introductory chapter on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled ‘The Father of our Nation’ illustrates Bangabandhu’s early life, childhood, his student life and struggle and his contribution in our liberation war.
The Bangla book of Class-IV has a poem titled ‘Muktir Chhora’ (Rhyme of Freedom) that glorifies Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s contribution in building today’s Bangladesh.
The Class-IV ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ book has a detailed chapter of Bangladesh’s glorious history from the language movement in 1952 to liberation war.
There is a black and white sketch of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the beginning of Class-V ‘s ‘Bangladesh and Global Studies’ book. In the first chapter, ‘Our Liberation War’, there is a timeline of Bangladesh’s movements for freedom in chronological order.
Bangladesh and Global Studies, for class VI, states in the first chapter:, “In the midnight of 25 March, that is, in the early hours of 26 March 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence of Bangladesh.”
The historical context and disparity between East and West Pakistan is discussed too: “There was continuous propaganda against Bengali culture and an attempt to destroy it.”
Mujib has been described as a “courageous, dedicated and visionary leader”.
In the same course for Class VII, the six-point movement, the historic Agartala case, the mass uprising of 1969, and the landslide victory of Awami League in 1970, have been discussed.
“The rejuvenated nation voted for Awami League to make it victorious with an absolute majority,” reads the text.
For class IX and X, the chapter ‘The Leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ says:
“The main leadership in the liberation war of Bangladesh came from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the architect of independence and father of the nation. He devoted all the activities, struggles and movements of his life to achieve freedom of the Bangali nation. He put in a lot of effort to establish the Chhatra League 1948, and the Awami League in 1949. He played a vital role in the language movement in 1948 and 1952. He was the most prominent among the first detainees of the language movement. Irrespective of assembly or of the street, he was always vocal in favour of the Bangali language and culture.”
The book contains a picture of Bangabandhu in captivity of the Pakistan occupation force midnight at 25 March 1971.
In the Bangla literature books, poetry and non-fiction pieces reflect the great politician.
In the Class IX-X textbook for Bangla literature, Nirmalendu Goon’s famous poem ‘Swadhinata, Shabdota Ki Kore Amader Holo (Independence, how the word became ours), Mujib is seen as a great composer of independence and his stature compared to that of Rabindranath Tagore.
In Shahitya Konika for class VIII, ‘Ebarer Sangram Swadhinatar Sangram’ , the historical speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Race Course Maidan is included. It is excerpted from the constitution of the people’s republic of Bangladesh.
Shaptabarna for Class VII has the lyrics of the inspiring song ‘Shono Ekti Mujibarer Theke’ (The voice of not one, but millions Mujibors singing) composed by Gauriprasanna Majumder. The song stirred millions of people in 1971. The lyrics capture the spirit of the time ignited by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The cover pages for Bangladesh and Global Studies in class VI, VII and VIII, have the sketch of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
While the school curriculum has been enriched by the inclusion of chapters on Bangabandhu, perhaps a little more effort could go into the endeavour. In order to make the writings on Bangabandhu more appealing, the illustrations needed to be more attractive. The children should be drawn to the chapters, not just forced to read them as any other school lesson.