Sports and cultural education will become compulsory from Class IV under the national curriculum from next year, with separate textbooks and both written and practical examinations, Youth and State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque said on Monday.

“Our election pledge was to introduce an enjoyable education system. With that goal, sports and culture are being incorporated into the national curriculum. There will be written examinations on sports alongside practical field tests,” he said while addressing as the chief guest at the prize-giving ceremony of the Annual Sports Competition-2026 of Rupnagar Residential School and College in the capital.

Debate, Quran recitation, music, traditional games and other cultural activities will also be incorporated into the curriculum, said the state minister.

Aminul, who is also the Convener of BNP's Dhaka North city unit, said the government is working to make education more enjoyable instead of relying solely on textbook-based learning.

He said an education system integrating sports, cultural activities and moral education would be developed so that learning becomes a source of enjoyment rather than fear.

The state minister said sports are essential for the healthy physical and mental development of children and adolescents.

He said participation in sports would help keep young people away from excessive dependence on mobile phones and digital devices, while also protecting them from drugs and other social crimes.

Aminul said the government has already taken initiatives to address the shortage of playgrounds in Dhaka and across the country.

Following the Prime Minister's directive, he said, vacant government land will be developed into playgrounds for children and adolescents, adding that a high-level committee is already working to implement the plan.

Aminul urged teachers to spend at least five minutes at the beginning of every class discussing moral education and social values with students.

“A student may earn the highest academic degrees, but if they lack honesty, humanity and social values, the true value of that education is lost,” he said.

The programme was chaired by the school's Acting Principal Umme Salma.