EC calls for boosting lessons on democracy, election in text books

The Election Commission (EC) is planning to upgrade the textbooks for grade five to grade 10 by introducing new chapters on democracy and election system of Bangladesh.

Moinul Hoque Chowdhurybdnews24.com
Published : 18 Oct 2016, 09:05 AM
Updated : 18 Oct 2016, 09:05 AM

A four member committee of the EC awaits green light from the body for sending the draft to the education ministry for finalisation.
 
EC formed the committee on June 8 this year with its Deputy Secretary Farhad Ahammad Khan as the convener to include more information about election process in textbooks and teachers’ training courses.
 
The committee’s Senior Assistant Secretary Forhad Hossain told bdnews24.com “Such information has been there since 1997. However, now they are being upgraded. The step has been taken to give the students a more transparent and detailed idea over democracy, importance of voting rights and election process.”
 
He said the draft would be finalised after getting approval from the related offices and ministry.
 
Some textbooks at the primary level and some courses at teachers’ training academy contain the subjects. The committee plans to upgrade them in line with the current political and social context.
 
Changes will be made to the chapter: “Our Duties and Responsibilities” in grade five and chapter “State of Bangladesh and its Government” in grade eight under the subject titled “Bangladesh O Bishwo Parichoy” (Introduction to Bangladesh and World).
 
The committee is also considering adding new chapters on ‘voting rights’ and ‘election system’ in the text books for grade six and grade seven.
 
It may introduce new subjects on voting rights and functions of the Election Commission in grade six and add information over ‘importance of election and types of election process’ in the curriculum of grade seven, a concerned official of the committee told.
 
Besides, the committee has proposed to alter and extend certain chapters in the books of ‘Introduction to Bangladesh and World’ and ‘Civics and Citizenship’ as needed in SSC curriculum (grade nine and grade ten).
 
The EC’s committee is responsible for recommending subjects related to election in textbooks at primary, secondary and higher secondary level and in the curriculum of Teachers’ Training Institute. 
 
Alongside, it is designated for including election related data to the existing chapters and upgrade the existing chapters and send related proposals to the ministry upon EC’s approval.