ERRORS IN TEXTBOOK CONTENTS
No major changes likely: NCTB
Even though there have been slip-ups in the textbooks, there would not be any change in the contents of such books that have been recently distributed among students from the pre-primary level to Class IX, sources in the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) said.
The NCTB sources said some spelling mistakes would be rectified, but there would not be any change in the content. The news reports about the howlers in the textbooks triggered much criticism from different quarters and questions were raised about the NCTBs professionalism and proficiency.
Officials of the NCTB also admitted that the goof-ups in the textbooks had tarnished their image. Senior officials of the board, however, are tight-lipped over the matter as directives have been given that only the NCTB chairman would only speak on the issue.
A three-member committee led by NCTB member (finance), Prof. Kazi Abul Kalam, has been formed, and the committee will submit the report within seven working days. The committee will look into the slip-ups in the textbooks and submit the report on January 16.
NCTB member Prof. Abdul Mannan told The Independent that minor mistakes like spelling or grammatical lapses would be sorted out and then correction copies would be sent to the teachers, who would teach them in classrooms. He, however, pointed out that no changes would be made in the contents, as the experts committee of the textbooks had decided on it after much discussion.
There was a controversy in the Class I Bangla book where goats and orna (scarf) have been used. Its a pedagogical matter and this can be reviewed. Most importantly, the students
would learn the letters with pictures here, he said.
Meanwhile, the government yesterday made two NCTB officials officers on special duty (OSDs) following primary investigation in the textbook scam, said a ministry press release. They officials are NCTB chief editor Pritish Kumar Sarkar and expert Lana Humayra.
The Secondary and Higher Secondary Divisions of the education ministry yesterday formed a committee to probe the errors and identify the persons responsible for it. The committee, coordinated by additional secretary of the Secondary and Higher Secondary Division, Ruhi Rahman, will submit the report within seven working days.
Education minister Nurul Islam Nahid will hold a press briefing on the textbook slip-ups at the Secretariat today.
