Dhaka University administration on Wednesday blocked a panel discussion on "National Curriculum 2021" after allowing organisers to arrange the programme.

The panel discussion titled "National Curriculum 2021: Why Are We Concerned?" was scheduled to be held at the RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium of the Lecture Theatre building of DU on Wednesday.

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The University Teachers' Network arranged the programme to discuss several matters about the curriculum.

After the speakers and the audience gathered in front of the auditorium, Professor Dr Abdul Bashir, dean of the Faculty of Arts, called the organisers over the phone and informed them not to hold the discussion.

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When asked about not allowing the programme, Bashir said, "We gave permission in view of their written application. But I got to know at 2:00 pm that this programme may hurt the state, the government, and our nation. That's why I called the organisers and requested that they arrange it somewhere else."

Meanwhile, the University Teachers' Network held a rally in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla Sculpture, protesting the decision.

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Prof Kamrul Hasan Mamun of the Physics department of the university said, "We wanted to hold a discussion about the pros and cons of the new curriculum. Those who obstruct such a harmless programme do not want the welfare of the state. The new curriculum that has been imposed on our students is nothing but an empty shell."

Prof Nasir Uddin of Jagannath University said, "In the new curriculum, 30 percent of science activities have been kept and the rest have been removed. Art and culture, life, and livelihood subjects have been given priority, excluding science and mathematics. These may be part of technical education, not mainstream. If this continues, administrators and executives will have to be imported from abroad soon."

The protest rally was attended by the teachers of Dhaka University, guardians, and some students.