Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former lawmaker Professor Mia Golam Porwar, issued a statement today, September 7, calling for the cancellation of the appointment of dance teachers in primary schools and instead the appointment of religious teachers with the objective of raising the new generation as honest citizens.
In his statement, he highlighted the importance of religious education and said:

“In government primary schools, there are no specialized teachers for Islamic and moral education. As a result, despite having an enriched syllabus, primary school students are being deprived of religious education. Consequently, the country is witnessing a decline in social and moral values. Intolerance is growing among students, and they are becoming detached from religious teachings, traditions, and cultural heritage. As a result, honest citizens and honest leadership are not being nurtured in families, society, and the state. Furthermore, religious education instills morality and values in individuals, which form the foundation of righteous behavior and are essential for building a just and disciplined society. Without the practice of religious values, moral decay will spread in society, and it will become increasingly difficult to create honest citizens and leadership.”

Professor Mia Golam Porwar further said, “Appointing music and dance teachers instead of religious teachers cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Music or dance (singing and instrumental arts) cannot be compulsory subjects for students. If any family genuinely has an interest in music or dance, they can arrange private teachers to teach their children. But religious education is crucial for followers of every religion. Therefore, we urge the government and education advisers to immediately take measures to appoint religious teachers in every primary school, so that students can learn their respective religions and enlighten their lives.”

He also said, “At a time when the new generation of the nation is facing moral degradation, the government has taken the decision to appoint music and dance teachers for primary-level students, which is suicidal for the nation. What is needed at this moment is to nurture students as ideal and enlightened individuals in light of moral and religious values. Instead, by deciding to appoint teachers for music and dance education, the government is essentially encouraging the moral downfall of students and the creation of an unethical society.”

In the statement, he added, “For a long time, the demand for the appointment of religious teachers in primary schools has been raised, but no initiative has been taken in this regard. Instead, steps are being taken to appoint teachers for teaching dance, music, and instruments, which we consider to be a highly regrettable and irrational decision. We also wish to remind the government that religious education is not only for Muslims but is equally necessary and essential for children of all faiths in the country. Yet, in this recruitment plan, religious education has been sidelined while music and dance education have been given importance. Experts believe that as a result, the future will produce morally degraded and characterless individuals.”