Textbooks being revised to incorporate true history: NCTB chairman

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has taken an initiative to correct long-standing distortions and one-sided historical narratives in primary and secondary school textbooks from the 2027 academic year to present the true history.

“Plans have been made to revise textbooks and introduce a new, time-appropriate curriculum. Glorious history of the 2024 student-people mass uprising will be included in textbooks,” NCTB chairman Md Mahbubul Hoque Patwary told BSS in an interview.

He said the historical distortions that occurred in textbooks in previous years are now being impartially corrected through expert committees.

“The contributions of our Liberation War heroes will be properly reflected in the textbooks. The one-sided recognition in history will be corrected and the real truth will be presented,” he said.

In addition, the NCTB chairman said, there are plans to include accurate and detailed histories of movements ranging from the 1990 mass uprising to the historic 2024 student-public uprising.”

Patwary said as part of the revision process for secondary-level textbooks, a four-day intensive residential workshop was held from 4 to 7 May at the Rural Development Academy in Bogura. The revision work for primary-level textbooks is also ongoing, he added.

The chairman further said as many as 320 experts from Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research and other disciplines and other higher education institutions, and experienced school teachers are working on revising 97 secondary-level books and 36 primary-level books.

He added that after completing the revision work for secondary textbooks, work is now underway on primary textbooks.

All work is expected to be completed by July, after which preparations for printing will begin, he added.

Patwary said a total of 601 textbooks at all levels, including English-version books from primary to Grade 9, will be revised.

Efforts are underway to ensure that students receive revised and error-free textbooks at the very beginning of 2027.

The chairman said three new diverse books will be introduced for Grades 4 and 6 from the 2027 academic year to support students’ mental development and make learning more enjoyable.

These include a “Sports and Culture” book for Grade 4. Designed to encourage physical activity and reduce digital addiction among children, the book is based on seven games and activities.

He also said on an experimental basis, a book titled “Learning with Happiness” is being developed for Grade 6 students so they can learn in an enjoyable way. It will gradually be introduced in other classes as well.

In addition, an inspirational book on Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) for Grade 6 under the Technical Education Board will be introduced next year.

Regarding major changes to ICT books, he said, “The current books have become quite outdated. We are almost completely redesigning the books from Grades 6 to 10, incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology.”

Patwari said in line with its election pledge, the current government is working on a student-friendly new curriculum. Its core philosophy is “experience-based learning.” Under this system, the number of books will decrease while the scope of practical education will increase, he said.

Speaking about future plans, he said, “We are currently revising textbooks for 2027, but major changes are planned for the 2028 academic year. This may even involve a fully new curriculum.”

Addressing parents, he said, “We are currently following a curriculum from 14 years ago (2012), which is behind the times. This change is inevitable to meet present-day needs. We believe that when students learn with joy, parents will also appreciate it.”

The NCTB chairman expressed hope that students would receive distortion-free, accurate, and modern textbooks on the very first day of January 2027.