Ministry reviewing demand for religion teachers instead of music: Adviser Khalid

Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain has said the primary and mass education ministry is currently reviewing a proposal from Hefazat-e-Islam to replace music teachers with religion teachers in primary schools. 

"This generally falls outside the purview of my ministry – it is under the jurisdiction of the primary and mass education ministry," the adviser said at a press briefing at the Secretariat today. 

"However, I have advised the education adviser to sit and discuss the matter, given that Hefazat and other Islamic scholars have raised objections to including music as a subject." 

He added that he had sent a letter to the Primary and Mass Education Adviser, Prof Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, recommending the appointment of Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders from Qawmi madrasahs as religion teachers in primary schools.

"Within six to seven months of assuming office, I sent him a DO letter suggesting that Dawra-e-Hadith graduates – whose degrees were recognised by the previous government as equivalent to an MA in Arabic and Islamic Studies – could effectively teach Religion and Bangla in primary schools," Hossain said.

Earlier, Prof Podder noted that there has never been a separate post for religion teachers in primary schools, adding that assistant teachers typically cover multiple subjects, including Bangla, English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Religion.

"The education adviser told me he would consider the matter. Since it falls under his ministry, the decision rests with them. However, I will continue discussions with him," Khalid Hossain said. "He also mentioned that the music education initiative is not being implemented immediately."

"The ministry is considering what steps to take in response to the demands of Hefazat and other Islamic organisations. Whether or not the decision to appoint music teachers will be reversed is up to them – I cannot comment on that," he added.