 |
| National Curriculum and Textbook Board Bangladesh |
The Ministry of Education has transferred 9 officials of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) at once. The transferred officials have been made Officers on Special Duty (OSD) at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE). At the same time, they have been attached to various government colleges outside Dhaka.
The decision was announced in a notification issued on Monday (26 October) by the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. However, the notification does not state a specific reason for transferring so many officials at once. It says only that the order was issued "in the public interest."
The transfers come amid discussion and criticism over the use of various images in next academic year's textbooks. Earlier, on Sunday (25 October), another NCTB official had been transferred. However, the notification does not make clear whether the 9 newly transferred officials have any direct connection to the controversy over the textbook images.
Names and New Workplaces of the 9 Transferred Officials
According to the Ministry of Education notification, the transferred officials have been attached to various government colleges across the country. Their names and new workplaces are given below.
- Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Haque Bhuiyan: Panchagarh Government Women's College.
- Mohammad Ahsanul Arefin Chowdhury: Government Teachers Training College, Jashore.
- Dr. Md. Abu Hanif: Government Teachers Training College, Rangpur.
- Rezaul Karim: Panchagarh Government Women's College.
- Mohammad Humayun Kabir: Government Golam Haider Khan Women's College, Shariatpur.
- Md. Monir Hossain Majumder: Government Golam Haider Khan Women's College, Shariatpur.
- Afsana Ayub: Government Golam Haider Khan Women's College, Shariatpur.
- Mahmud Bin Amin: Thakurgaon Government Women's College.
- SM Asaduzzaman: Lalmonirhat Government College.
According to the notification, these officials have been assigned as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) at DSHE and attached to the respective colleges. Along with their new workplaces, a deadline has also been set for their release from their current positions.
Instruction to Leave Current Posts by 29 October
The transferred officials have been told to be released from their current workplaces by 29 October. The notification states that anyone not released within the stipulated time will automatically be considered released on that date.
Under this directive, the officials concerned must complete the process of being relieved of their current duties and joining their new attached workplaces within the stipulated time.
Transfers Amid Controversy Over Textbook Images
NCTB is directly responsible for developing, improving, and publishing textbooks for the country's primary and secondary levels. The organization plays an important role in preparing textbooks for the new academic year and delivering them to students.
Recently, the use of various symbols and images in textbooks has sparked discussion. In particular, controversy arose over the use of an image of a scale (dari-palla) as a symbol of wisdom in the Class 6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) textbook. There have also been reports that the image was removed from the book following criticism.
Subsequently, on Sunday, NCTB research officer Md Abdullah Al Zubayer was transferred to Khagrachhari Government Women's College as a lecturer in political science. One day later, transfer orders were issued for 9 more officials.
However, the Ministry of Education notification does not mention the controversy over the textbook images, administrative restructuring, or any other specific reason behind these transfers. Therefore, an official statement from the relevant authorities is needed to reach any firm conclusion on the matter.
Overall, the transfer of a total of 10 NCTB officials within two days has become a topic of discussion in circles connected to textbooks and education administration. However, until the ministry gives an official explanation for the specific reasons behind the transfer of the 9 newly transferred officials, nothing can be said with certainty.