Bangladesh's Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel today (January 23, 2024) addressed the media regarding the ongoing controversy over a story featured in a textbook. “We plan to consult with experts about the story of Sharifa discussed in the textbook. If there's any confusion or misrepresentation, changes will be made,” Chowdhury told reporters at the Secretariat. The story of Sharifa previously sparked debate, and currently, some are protesting over its content. The Education Minister emphasized the need for a thorough discussion with National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) to understand why the story is eliciting such reactions. Read more: UGC team investigates IU VC’s corruptions in teacher recruitment He expressed concern about certain groups’ tendency to exploit religious sentiments and instigate instability and anarchy in the country, and said, “A few days ago, some recommendations were given to me from an organization. Some Qawmi madrasa teachers claimed that the word ‘transgender’ has been used in the textbook. However, upon examination, it was clarified that the term used was ‘third gender’.” “In our society, third gender individuals, commonly known as ‘Hijra,’ are legally recognized citizens with rights," Minister Chowdhury clarified. He further added, “If the presentation of the story leads to misunderstandings and controversies, we will discuss with experts whether we can modify its presentation while respecting the dignity of the third gender individuals. This is a specialized issue, and we don’t want to comment at a policy level.” Responding to a question about the BRAC University controversy, the Education Minister said, “We will discuss this matter with BRAC University and understand the issue through the University Grants Commission, following which a detailed discussion will be held.” Read more: Govt changes class schedule for primary schools due to cold wave

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday summoned the chair of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) and a member of the institution to appear before it on November 29 to explain mistakes and distortions of history in textbooks for secondary and higher education. The High Court bench of Justice Ashraful Kamal and Justice Md Shohrowardi gave the order following a supplementary petition filed by Md Alamgir Alam, a guardian of a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. Read more: Defaming PM: Chamber Judge stays bail to Rajbari Mahila Dal leader Lawyer Ali Mustafa Khan represented the petitioner in the court while Deputy Attorney General Barrister Kazi Mainul Hasan represented the state. Alamgir filed a writ petition last year, pointing out at least 500 mistakes and distortions of history in various textbooks for secondary and higher education. After that, on September 26, the court summoned the NCTB chair and a member of the institution to explain mistakes and distortions of history in the textbooks. Also, it issued a rule questioning asked to explain why their failure to prevent distortions of history in the books would not be declared illegal. The education secretary, NCTB chair, its member (curriculum), and NCTB secretary were made respondents to the rule. Read more: Pirojpur PP apologises for misbehaving with chief judicial magistrate The court also asked the respondents to explain why they would not be directed to amend the distortions in the books. Mustafa said: "The NCTB chair and a member appeared before the court last year and said there would be no such errors in the textbooks of the academic year 2022. As most of the mistakes remain, they were summoned to appear before the court next Tuesday."