Editorial
War history in textbooks
It would instill patriotism in young minds
WE welcome the decision of the expert committee to incorporate history of the epoch-making Liberation War of Bangladesh without any distortion in the school textbooks. The government had formed the committee on March 31 comprising eminent educationists, historians and litterateurs to remove any distorted account of history from the textbooks of primary and secondary levels. It has recommended incorporating a number of new stories, articles and poems on the War in Bangla textbooks of all classes at the secondary level, and also the historic 7 March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the Bangla textbook of class VIII. The formation of the Mujibnagar government, its multifarious activities and the proclamation of independence of Bangladesh are also likely to be included in the social science books of the same class.
We also appreciate the idea of including a letter of a freedom fighter in the Bangla book of class VI and some essays on other important national leaders like Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, four national leaders and former president Ziaur Rahman in the books of different classes.
We find the move highly laudable as it would help young students learn in detail all about the fierce battles our heroes fought on both political and military fronts in order to snatch victory from the clutches of the occupation army. The knowledge would help instill the much-needed sense of patriotism in them.
Indeed, the post-liberation generation has the right to know the unblemished history of the creation of Bangladesh to be worthy citizens. The knowledge would empower them to project the history and causes of Bangladesh in their true perspectives in various forums at home and abroad. Then again, it is they who would pass the knowledge down to the next generation.
We understand the committee has already submitted its report on secondary level textbooks to the education minister. It, therefore, now depends on the minister and his ministry how they will ensure implementation of the recommendations from the next academic session. We hope the education ministry will be right on target.
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