State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Thursday said the government has taken an initiative to introduce cultural education for students of classes IV and V in primary schools.
This curriculum will encompass various creative activities, including recitation, Qira’at, dance, drama, and music. Under this initiative, students and parents will have the freedom to select subjects according to their preferences.
The state minister further emphasised that there is no room for unnecessary debate regarding the inclusion of cultural education.
He made these remarks as the chief guest during Rabindra-Nazrul Festival, organised by the Department of Music at Jagannath University (JnU), with support from Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Addressing the gathering, Bobby Hajjaj noted that music is intrinsically linked to the deepest human emotions, serving as a vital medium for expressing joy, sorrow, love, and passion.
He observed that while culture and religion are often forcibly positioned as opposites in the country, music plays a crucial role in expressing spirituality, history, and humanitarian feelings.
Bobby Hajjaj further pointed out that the history of Islam contains numerous examples where music was used to inspire people toward the path of the Creator.
Highlighting the legacies of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, the state minister described their contributions to the development of the Bengali language, literature, culture, and heritage as immeasurable.
He remarked that it is both natural and positive for the new generation to reinterpret the works of such literary icons through the lens of their own experiences and thoughts.
On the topic of language, Bobby Hajjaj noted that while language is ever evolving, the government remains committed to ensuring the use of standard Bengali (Promit Bangla) within educational institutions.
The state minister also addressed the career prospects of students from music, fine arts, and theatre departments. He revealed that the government is working to simplify the process for graduates of these disciplines to enter the teaching profession in primary schools.
The programme was attended by the treasurer of Jagannath University, alongside teachers from various departments, students, and invited guests.
