Summary:
- NCTB’s fifth-grade textbooks mistakenly printed “Nahiyan” instead of martyr Nafisa Hossain’s name in a chapter about July uprising martyrs, prompting immediate correction plans for PDF versions.
- The textbook features notable martyrs including Abu Sayed from Rangpur, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho from Uttara, and Golam Nafiz whose iconic photograph became a symbol of the uprising.
- Anas, a 10th-grade student, left a heroic final message to his mother before being killed during protests near Chankharpul on August 5.
- The chapter commemorates various historical figures and revolutionaries, from colonial-era heroes like Titu Mir to martyrs of the 1969 mass upsurge and anti-Ershad movement.
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has published fifth-grade textbooks containing an error in naming one of the martyrs from the historic July uprising of 2024, sparking concerns over historical accuracy in educational materials.
The Bangla textbook erroneously lists “Nahiyan” among those killed during the protests, when it should have named Nafisa Hossain Marwa, an HSC candidate from Shahajuddin Sarker Model Higher Secondary School in Tongi, who was killed by law enforcement during protests in Savar.
“We will look into the matter,” stated NCTB Chairman Professor AKM Reazul Hassan. “We will correct it in the PDF versions that will be sent to the schools today. We will also send a correction to the schools soon.”
The chapter in question commemorates several martyrs of the July uprising, including Abu Sayed, a student leader from Rangpur who was fatally shot while protesting, and Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, who lost his life while distributing water to protesters in Dhaka’s Uttara area.
Among other martyrs mentioned are Golam Nafiz, a 16-year-old Noubahini College student whose photograph became an iconic image of the uprising, and Anas, a 10th-grade student killed near Dhaka’s Chankharpul on August 5. Before his death, Anas left a poignant note to his mother: “Ma, I am going to the protest. I couldn’t sit at home anymore. It’s better to die on the streets like a hero than stay at home like a selfish person, fearing death.”
The textbook chapter, which highlights individuals who made supreme sacrifices for the country, also features historical figures like Titu Mir, Pritilata Waddedar, and martyrs from various political movements, including those who died during the 1969 mass upsurge and anti-Ershad protests.
The July uprising, which began as a quota reform movement, ultimately led to the end of a 16-year regime with the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024. The movement resulted in 728 confirmed martyrs and over 20,000 injured, marking one of the most significant political transformations in Bangladesh’s recent history.
To honor Nafisa Hossain Marwa’s sacrifice, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh recently opened a child daycare center bearing her name, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Source: The Daily Star
