The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has taken an initiative to correct long-standing distortions and one-sided historical narratives in primary and secondary textbooks from the 2027 academic year.
The aim is to present what officials describe as the true history.
NCTB Chairman Md Mahbubul Hoque Patwary told BSS in an interview that the plan includes revising textbooks and introducing a new, time-appropriate curriculum. He said the glorious history of the 2024 student-people mass uprising will also be included in the textbooks.
He said expert committees are now working to impartially correct historical distortions that appeared in textbooks in previous years.
“The contributions of our Liberation War heroes will be properly reflected in the textbooks. The one-sided recognition in history will be corrected and the real truth will be presented,” he said.
He also said the revised curriculum will include detailed histories of major movements, ranging from the 1990 mass uprising to the 2024 student-public uprising.
Patwary said a four-day residential workshop was held from 4 May to 7 May at the Rural Development Academy in Bogura as part of the secondary textbook revision process. Work on primary textbooks is also ongoing.
He said around 320 experts from Dhaka University’s Institute of Education and Research, other universities and experienced school teachers are involved in revising 97 secondary-level books and 36 primary-level books.
He added that revision work for secondary textbooks has been completed and primary-level revision is now underway. All work is expected to finish by July, after which printing preparations will begin.
The chairman said a total of 601 textbooks across all levels, including English-version books from primary to Grade 9, will be revised. He expressed hope that students would receive revised and error-free textbooks at the start of 2027.
He also said three new books will be introduced for Grades 4 and 6 from the 2027 academic year to support students’ mental development and make learning more enjoyable.
A “Sports and Culture” book will be introduced for Grade 4. It will promote physical activity and help reduce digital addiction among children. The book is based on seven games and activities.
NCTB Chairman said an experimental book titled “Learning with Happiness” is being prepared for Grade 6 to make learning more enjoyable. It will later be expanded to other classes.
An inspirational Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) book for Grade 6 under the Technical Education Board will also be introduced next year.
On ICT textbooks, he said current materials are outdated. He said books for Grades 6 to 10 are being fully redesigned with artificial intelligence (AI) and modern technology.
Patwary said the government is working on a student-friendly curriculum based on its election pledge. He said the core approach focuses on experience-based learning. Under this system, the number of books will decrease while practical learning will increase.
He also said major changes are planned for the 2028 academic year, which may include a completely new curriculum.
Addressing parents, he said the current curriculum dates back 14 years to 2012 and needs urgent updating. He said the change is necessary to meet present-day needs and students will learn with greater enjoyment.
Mahbubul expressed hope that students will receive distortion-free, accurate and modern textbooks from the very first day of January 2027.
