Bangladesh to introduce ‘Arts and Culture’ in Class 4 next year

Students will get structured lessons in arts, music, dance and drama

The government has decided to introduce an Arts and Culture textbook for Class 4 from 2027 under the existing primary curriculum.

The move comes ahead of a planned curriculum overhaul scheduled for 2028.

On Wednesday, a meeting at the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education decided to include music and dance education in the primary curriculum and approved the addition of the new subject for fourth-grade students from next year.

Speaking to bdnews24.com in the afternoon, National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) member (Textbook) Prof Md Abu Naser Tuku said: “For 2028, there is a plan to include ‘Arts and Culture’ and sports subjects in Class 4 under the new curriculum. Before that, in 2027, an Arts and Culture textbook will be introduced under the existing curriculum,” he said.

He added that the textbook will be structured into four chapters covering drawing and fine arts, music, dance, and drama.

The reform marks a shift in earlier planning, where only two subjects had been proposed for inclusion under the new curriculum framework.