400 Million Textbooks on the July Revolution Being Printed

This year’s textbooks spotlight not only the July Revolution but also the contributions of the heroes who fought for Bangladesh’s independence. The covers feature graffiti inspired by mass uprisings, while the Bangladesh and World Studies section narrates historical events spanning 1952 to 2024. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has announced plans for further updates to extensively revamp the textbooks in the future. The government is reportedly printing around 401.6 million new textbooks for primary and secondary levels this year, at an estimated cost of 17.5 billion BDT. Each book incorporates themes from the July Revolution, reflecting the collective participation of people from all walks of life. NCTB Chairman Dr. A K M Riazul Islam shared, “We’ve included graffiti that resonates universally and symbolizes hope. For instance, the English textbook features an article titled Graffiti, while the fifth-grade textbook includes a piece called We Will Never Forget You.” He added, “At the dawn of independence, Major Ziaur Rahman, facing immense risks, declared independence—first on March 26 and then again on March 27. These moments are highlighted in the books. Additionally, the historic March 7 speech that inspired our nation has been included as well.”