Students and teachers of Dhaka University (DU) staged a demonstration against scrapping physical education and music teacher positions in primary schools on Thursday morning at 11:30 AM near Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture.
DUCSU Literature and Cultural Secretary Mosaddek Ali Ibn Mohammad, DUCSU Executive Member Hema Chakma, and cultural secretaries from various hall councils joined the programme expressing solidarity with the cause.
Azizur Rahman Tuhin, teacher at Music Department, argued civilisation survives through art, literature and culture. Cancelling music teacher positions in primary schools would hinder mental and physical development of future generations, he added.
Israfill Shaheen from Theatre and Performance Studies Department urged authorities to withdraw the order, stating that nations cannot develop through religion alone whilst culture never opposes religious values.
DUCSU Executive Member Hema Chakma highlighted Bangladesh's diverse identity, recalling how songs inspired freedom fighters during Liberation War and protesters during 2024 movement. She emphasised music's role in expressing patriotism whilst acknowledging international recognition achieved through physical education.
Music artist Farzana Wahid Sayan condemned the government's decision as irrational, warning against attempts to pit music against religion. She called for protests through music itself, noting how singing had previously served as both expression and resistance.
Ministry of Primary and Mass Education cancelled newly created music teacher positions alongside physical education posts in government primary schools on 3 November, triggering widespread criticism from educational and cultural communities across the country.
