Part-time instructor Asif Mahtab of BRAC University tore up the textbooks for class seven; which the university called "devastating." This, in their opinion, is "non-teacher behavior."
The university has made the decision not to extend its agreement with Asif Mahtab as a result. BRAC University made this revelation in a statement on Monday, published on their website.
A chapter in the seventh-grade social science and history textbook covers public awareness about the third-gender community in light of the new curriculum. This is a topic of discussion. The issue gained attention when a former BRAC University part-time instructor tore the book's pages during an event. On social media, the incident's video went viral. Asif Mahtab was employed by BRAC University as a part-time teacher, the university said in a statement. As of right now, BRAC University and the person have no contract.
According to the notice, BRAC University believes, like all great institutions of higher education, its role should be to create space for all views to be discussed and debated constructively, predicated on tolerance and respect. The University believes in the exchange of ideas through dialogue.
The University considers any act of vandalism towards national property as unacceptable behavior and does not tolerate or support such activities.
The recent act of tearing pages of a textbook published by the Government of Bangladesh, included in the national curriculum for students enrolled in the 7th grade in schools, and asking others to do the same in a public forum, is an act of vandalism, a behavior not supported by BRAC University.
The statement also stated that the University, therefore, cannot offer a part-time teaching contract to Asif Mahtab Utsha for the Spring 2024 semester. However, the University will compensate Utsha for his time and efforts towards his preparatory work for Spring 2024.
BRAC University respects and fully complies with the country's Constitution and laws on all matters. Accordingly, it does not promote homosexuality as has been alleged by some quarters in various social media content. However, the university believes in equal rights and opportunities for every single human being to realize their potential.
On January 19, at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the Kakrail area of Dhaka, Mahtab attended a seminar on the new curriculum.
In a social media sensational video, he is seen ripping pages out of the textbook that told the story.
The Ministry of Education formed a high-level expert committee last week to investigate whether or not to include "Sharifa's Story," a textbook for class VII that describes the challenges and life experiences of a third-gender, or "Hijra," person.
In this regard, a heated demonstration was recently witnessed.
Asif Mahtab claimed in a Facebook post on January 21 that he was fired by BRAC University officials.
Discussions on social media and on campus at the university intensified in favor of and against Asif's criticism as word of his termination spread. A group of BRAC students demonstrated against the teacher's dismissal.
