A human chain and public rally were held at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar today to protest the cancellation of appointments for music and physical education teachers in primary schools and to demand the reinstatement of the original government directive. The event was organised by the National Education and Cultural Preservation Movement.
The proceedings began with a rendition of the national anthem, performed collectively by artists from various cultural organisations participating in the rally. The event was attended by educationists, cultural figures, and student representatives.
Amit Ranjan De, General Secretary of the Udaye Central Council (faction), delivered the welcoming address. The discussion session, chaired by Mahmud Selim, convener of the National Education and Cultural Preservation Movement and acting president of Udaye Central Council, focused on the importance of music and physical education for children in their formative years. Experts highlighted how these subjects contribute to students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development.
Speakers claimed that the government’s decision to cancel appointments was influenced by pressure from a particular interest group. This group reportedly sought to replace music and physical education teachers with religious instructors, despite all schools already having sufficient religious teachers. Activists described the demand for further religious appointments as politically motivated and lacking genuine educational purpose.
Other participants emphasised that for holistic human development alongside economic progress, music and physical education should remain compulsory from the primary level. The discussion featured Bangladesh Chhatra Union (faction) president Mahir Shahriar Reza, Central Sports Council general secretary Pronoy Saha, organiser Mahadev Ghosh of the Music Organisation Coordination Council, Rabindra Sangeet Artists Association president Mokbul Hossain, Bangladesh College and University Teachers’ Association vice-president Azizur Rahman, Central Sports Council presidium member Abu Saeed, and noted poet and journalist Aktar Hossain. The session was moderated by Sangita Imam, deputy general secretary of Udaye Central Council.