Reason behind discussion about new curriculum

Farhad Chowdhury: In the new year the government has introduced a new curriculum in some classes of primary and secondary level. There are massive changes in the curriculum and evaluation system of students, which is seen to be discussed and criticized in various circles.
All public examinations prior to class 10 have been abolished in the new curriculum. Changes have also been made in the SSC and HSC examination system. Apart from this, there is no opportunity to choose department in class IX. Instead, going to the 11th standard, students can study in the department of their choice.
New curriculum has been implemented in class I, II, VI and VII this year. It will be implemented next year in third, fourth, eighth and ninth classes. After that, the new curriculum is scheduled to be introduced in a phased manner in classes V and X in 2025, class XI in 2026 and class XII in 2027.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board said that the new curriculum is being introduced to teach students in a fun environment and teach them about skills, creativity, knowledge and new perspectives instead of relying on rote learning.
However, many teachers and parents are criticizing it.
Rakhal Raha, a parent told Daily Industry, “In this curriculum, the science and mathematics education at the secondary level will also end. As mathematics and science are the same textbooks for all in the ninth grade, the topics will be reduced more than before.”
“As a result, those interested in learning science and mathematics will be disadvantaged, and the opportunity for mainstream students to pursue higher education in science will be virtually eliminated.”
Raha’s son will be in Class IX next year. As a result, he said that he is very worried about the new curriculum.
In the new curriculum more emphasis is placed on practical rather than examination. As a result, the students’ practical work pressure has increased rather than reading, which has become a cause of concern for many parents.
“My daughter is in class seven. Earlier she used to sit down to read in the evening. Now she can’t be made to read at all. Does she do assignments all the time; sits with friends. I don’t understand anything. How can she learn if she doesn’t read?”, said Kaya Talukdar.
Meanwhile, some of the educationists feel that the government has started the work without taking the necessary preparations for the implementation of the new curriculum.
Education and Research Institute of Dhaka University Mojibur Rahman told, “There are many weaknesses in the implementation at the field level. In this situation, there is considerable doubt as to how effective the new curriculum will be.”
He felt that before undertaking such an initiative there should have been necessary research as well as discussions and consultations with every stakeholder involved.
“Parents and teachers are the two biggest partners in this initiative. But have they been sat with before the curriculum change? If so, how many have been discussed or consulted? I believe this situation would not have arisen if it was implemented step by step with them. I think.”
According to the National Curriculum and Textbook Board, in 2017 the work of assessing and analyzing the needs of the new curriculum began. After this, ‘National Education Outline-2021’ was prepared in 2021 in consultation with various researches and experts.
It was introduced on an experimental basis in 60 schools in 2022 with the permission of the government. Based on its results, the new curriculum was introduced in sixth and seventh classes across the country in 2023.
Chairman of National Curriculum and Textbook Board Prof. Farhadul Islam told, “We have started working with enough preparation. Still, we are considering the criticisms. Later, if necessary, changes will be made in some cases. For now, boys and girls will study in the new curriculum. Any alternative to keep pace with the times?”