Govt Adopts ‘Cluster-Based’ Approach to Bring Music Lessons to All Schools

The government has officially decided to integrate music education into the national curriculum from the primary to high school levels, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced on Tuesday.

The Minister shared the update while speaking to reporters following an event organized by the US Embassy at Dhaka University. 

Under the new plan, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will employ a "cluster-based approach" to ensure widespread access. 

This strategy involves music instructors traveling within upazilas to provide specialized lessons across multiple educational institutions, bridging the gap for schools that lack permanent music faculty.

“Alongside academic education, our ministry will ensure music education in all institutions, from primary to high school, through cluster-based outreach within upazilas,” the Minister stated. 

He noted that this mirrors the efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, explaining that similar music competitions are being organized to promote cultural engagement among students.

Addressing previous hurdles, specifically the cancellation of music teacher appointments during the interim government's tenure, Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury observed that past appointments were often concentrated only in district-level schools. 

He remarked that the interim administration, not being an elected body, was not directly accountable to the people.

“During that period, some good decisions were made along with some that, in our view, could have been avoided. However, I would not say those were intentional,” he added, referring to the previous policy shifts.

When questioned about the upcoming Pahela Baishakh celebrations and the naming of the traditional procession—whether it would be called ‘Ananda Shobhajatra’ or the traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’—the Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to upholding traditional values and cultural practices.

He concluded by emphasizing national social cohesion, stating that despite differences in ethnicity, identity, religion, caste, and ideology, the people of Bangladesh would move forward together. 

“Political differences will remain, but people will continue to coexist within the same society,” he said.

With Inputs from UNB