Bangladesh plans to introduce four new textbooks for fourth- and sixth-grade students in the 2027 academic year, aiming to move beyond rote memorisation and exam-focused learning towards creativity, physical and mental development, moral values and practical skills.
The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has prepared the books to make learning more engaging and relevant to students’ everyday lives.
The new titles are Sports and Bangladesh’s Culture for fourth graders, and Learning with Happiness and My Technical Education for sixth graders.
The books are expected to receive final approval at a meeting of the National Curriculum Coordination Committee (NCC) on October 25. If approved, around 15 million copies will be printed.
NCTB officials said the initiative follows the government’s election manifesto, with an emphasis on enjoyable education, sports, cultural activities and hands-on technical skills.
Mahdi Amin, adviser to the prime minister on education and primary and mass education, said the government was prioritising the development of human values, social etiquette, family culture and good citizenship, alongside creating employment opportunities through education.
He said the NCTB was advancing the initiative with experts and educationists under the prime minister’s direction.
NCTB Chairman Professor Mohammad Fakhrul Mawla said the manuscripts of all four books had been prepared and reviewed. They would be sent for printing after approval by the NCC.
Officials expect printing to be completed by December 15.
Sports and Culture for Fourth Graders
The fourth-grade Sports textbook contains 14 chapters covering the rules of football, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, swimming, athletics and chess. It also introduces self-defence techniques such as karate, judo and taekwondo.
Students will learn how to respond to sports-related injuries, nosebleeds and heatstroke, as well as basic first aid, nutrition and social skills.
The 11-chapter Bangladesh’s Culture textbook explores language, clothing, arts, food, social customs and the traditions of ethnic communities.
It also covers the history of the children’s talent competition Notun Kuri, which was launched in 1976 at the initiative of then president Ziaur Rahman.
Practical Learning for Sixth Graders
The sixth-grade Learning with Happiness textbook has six chapters. It emphasises learning through everyday experiences, the environment, health, safety, creativity and interpersonal relationships rather than relying primarily on examinations and memorisation.
The eight-chapter My Technical Education textbook covers technology, problem-solving, small-scale enterprise, green technology and sustainable living.
It is designed to give students opportunities to develop practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
NCTB Curriculum Member Professor AKM Shawkat Ali Khan said the new books would help students gain practical, skills-based knowledge in an enjoyable learning environment beyond conventional classroom instruction.