Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the government to cancel the recruitment of dance and music teachers in primary schools and instead appoint religious instructors to ensure the moral and ethical development of the next generation.
In a statement issued on Sunday (September 7), the party’s Secretary General and former Member of Parliament, Professor Mia Golam Porwar, expressed deep concern over the government’s recent move. He said that despite having a comprehensive syllabus, the absence of specialized teachers for Islamic and moral education has left primary school students deprived of religious instruction.
“This lack of religious education is causing moral decay, intolerance, and alienation from cultural and spiritual heritage,” he said. “Religious education instills ethics and values, which are essential for building honest citizens and responsible leadership in society.”
Criticizing the government’s policy, Professor Porwar added, “It is unacceptable to recruit music and dance teachers while ignoring the need for religious instructors. Singing or dancing cannot be considered compulsory for students. Families interested in these activities can arrange private training, but religious education is a necessity for all faiths.”
He warned that the government’s decision to prioritize music and dance instruction at a time when young people are facing moral decline is “suicidal for the nation.” According to him, children must be nurtured with ethical and spiritual values to become enlightened individuals, but the current policy risks pushing them toward moral degradation.
The Jamaat leader also noted that demands for appointing religious teachers in primary schools have long been raised, but no initiatives have been taken. Instead, the government has chosen to recruit music and dance teachers, which he termed “illogical and regrettable.”
Concluding his statement, Professor Porwar reminded the government that, “Religious education is not only for Muslims, but equally important for all communities. By sidelining religious studies and prioritizing dance and music, the government risks producing a morally bankrupt and characterless generation, which will be disastrous for the country’s future.”
