Bangladesh moves to scrap music, PE as school subjects for children: Report

JeI and other Islamist organisations have raised their concerns regarding the inclusion of music, stating that the policy “goes against Islam”.

Published on: Nov 4, 2025, 14:44:11 IST

By HT News Desk

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In a surprising move, Bangladesh has announced it will be scrapping all plans to hire music teachers for primary schools. Along with the post for music teacher, recruitment for physical education has also been halted.

As per reports, this decision by the Muhammad Yunus-led government comes amid growing opposition from Islamist groups.

As per local news outlet bdnews24, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education issued a gazette on Sunday regarding the changes.

"Although the rules issued last August had four categories of posts, two categories have been included in the amendment. The posts of assistant teachers for music and physical education are not in the new rules,” Masud Akhtar Khan, additional secretary of the schools division told bdnews24.com.

Dhaka gives in to Islamist pressure

Several protests have been carried out by Bangladesh's largest Islamist political party, Jamaat-e-Islami. JeI, along with other Islamist organisations have raised their concerns regarding the inclusion of music in school curricula, stating that the policy “goes against Islam”.

"Imposing music and dance is a conspiratorial move and goes against Islam," Sajidur Rahman, a senior leader of Hefazat-e-Islam, an influential pressure group made up of multiple political parties, organisations and religious schools, was quoted as saying by AFP.

Also Read | Northeast India under Bangladesh? Yunus' gift to Pakistan general stirs row

Many have also criticised the government's decision to scrap music. Speaking to AFP, Rasheda K. Chowdhury, a prominent education expert, said the Yunus government should have established that music and religious studies can go hand and hand.

"What kind of nation are we trying to create? The government should have convinced them that religious studies and music can go hand in hand; there is no conflict between them," she said.

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HT News Desk
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