The Ministry of Education has established a high-level expert committee to review the inclusion of ‘Sharifa’s Story’ in a seventh-grade textbook, focusing on the experiences and challenges faced by a third gender or “Hijra” individual. The five-member committee, led by Islamic Arabic University Vice Chancellor Professor Abdur Rashid, aims to provide a more in-depth examination of the subject matter, assisting the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB). Other committee members include Islamic Foundation Governor Mufti Maulana Kofil Uddin Sarkar, NCTB Member Mashiuzzaman, and Dhaka University Institute of Education and Research Director and Dhaka Alia Madrasah Principal Mohammad Abdur Rashid.
The controversy surrounding the story arose when Asif Mahtab, a part-time lecturer at BRAC University, objected to its inclusion in the textbook, claiming that students were being introduced to transgender and homosexual concepts. Mahtab’s public objection gained attention when he tore pages containing the story during a seminar on the new education curriculum. This act was widely shared on social media, leading to his termination by BRAC University.
On Tuesday, BRAC students protested the dismissal of Asif Mahtab. Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury assured that if any inconsistencies or ambiguities are found in the story, it will be amended. The committee’s review is expected to contribute to the ongoing discussions and decisions regarding the inclusion of ‘Sharifa’s Story’ in the curriculum.
