Sharifa’s Tale: Rumours Being Spread For Political Advantage

Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury has stated that there is a dissemination of rumours and propaganda for political advantage regarding subjects not covered in textbooks.

The Education Minister, Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury, has addressed the 'Sharifa's Tale' matter in the textbook, stating that a review will be conducted to assess its appropriateness for students' age.

Allegations of student indoctrination through the inclusion of transgender stories in textbooks were raised by BRAC University teacher Asif Mahtab. In response, the education ministry formed a five-member committee to investigate the controversy surrounding the 'Sharif to Sharifa' story in the seventh-grade history and social science book of the new curriculum.

The committee, led by Islamic Arabic University Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Rashid, includes Islamic Foundation governor Mufti Maulana Kafil Uddin Sarker, NCTB member Professor Moshiuzzaman, Institute of Education and Research (IER) director at Dhaka University Professor Dr Md Abdul Halim, and Dhaka Alia Madrasa principal Prof. Mohammad Abdur Rashid.

Minister Mahibul emphasized that rumors are circulating on social media for political reasons, and a final decision will be made after the committee provides its opinion and the issue is thoroughly reviewed. He called on everyone to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors.