They expressed their views at an online seminar titled “Education and COVID-19: The role of ethics education” arranged by the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) of Brac University.

Academicians drew on their rich experiences as key actors in the sphere of education to reflect on the divisive social impact of the pandemic.

National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Chief Editor Prof Santosh Kumar Dhali underscored the importance of adopting targeted policy goals of pluralism and equality.

“Ethics education should be a priority in the textbooks and schooling systems of Bangladesh,” he said earlier.

Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) Deputy Director KM Enamul Hoque called for a more inclusive crisis response in tackling the pandemic’s adverse impacts on education.

He also highlighted the need for a holistic institutional approach to prioritise ethics education in this pandemic.

Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Presidium Member Kajal Debnath said there is a need for common ethics education for all students from across diverse social groups.

Jamia Iqra Bangladesh Head of Education Mawlana Arif Uddin Maruf drew attention to the varied nature of the pandemic’s social impact and emphasised the importance of religion as a valuable source of moral teachings for the pandemic-induced social crisis.

Brac University School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Prof Philippe Forêt and CPJ Research Fellow Dr Samia Huq also attended the seminar alongside the students and faculties of various departments of Brac University.