Govt reviewing Hefajat’s demand to replace music teachers with religious ones

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain on Monday said that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is currently reviewing Hefazat-e-Islam’s demand to appoint religious teachers in place of music teachers in primary schools, reports UNB.

"This generally falls outside the purview of my ministry. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education. However, I have advised the education adviser to sit and discuss the matter, considering that Hefajat and other Islamic scholars have raised objections to including music as a subject,” he said.

The adviser said this when asked about the demand of the Hefajat-e-Islam while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.

Earlier, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Prof Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder said there has never been a separate post for religious teachers in primary schools and that the assistant teachers typically cover subjects like Bangla, English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Religion.

Besides, a letter has been sent to the Primary and Mass Education Adviser, recommending the appointment of ‘Dawra-e-Hadith certificate holders from Qawmi madrasahs as religious teachers in primary schools, the Religious Adviser said.

Noting that the religious education class hours have already been increased, the adviser said, “Within 6-7 months of assuming in office, I sent him a letter suggesting that Dawra Hadith graduates—whose degrees have been officially recognised by the previous government as equivalent to MA in Arabic and Islamic Studies—could effectively teach subjects like Religion and Bangla in primary schools.”

“The education adviser told me he would consider the matter. I’ve sent him a DO letter, and since it falls under his ministry, the decision is theirs. However, I will continue discussions with him. He also mentioned that the music education initiative is not being implemented immediately,” Khalid Hossain said.

He also said that the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education is reviewing Hefajat’s objections.

“The ministry is considering what steps to take in light of demands from Hefajat and other Islamic organisations. Whether or not the decision to appoint music teachers will be reversed is up to them—I cannot comment on that,” the adviser added.