In a recent surge, a multitude of videos is making the rounds on social media, allegedly claiming affiliation with the latest educational curriculum in Bangladesh. These videos, adorned with various offensive captions, are proliferating across different social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Messenger. The widespread dissemination of these viral videos has thrust the new curriculum into the spotlight, drawing criticism.
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A significant number of Facebook users within the country are sharing these videos recklessly, oblivious to their authenticity, and engaging in mockery. Intense debates are raging both in favor of and against the controversial videos, raising questions about their legitimacy. The crucial question is: Are these viral videos genuine representations of the training of teachers on the new curriculum?
The findings of a thorough investigation into the viral videos by the PressXpress reveal a stark reality – none of the disseminated videos align with the content of the new curriculum.
This revelation finds resonance in the statements of the Minister of Education, Dipu Moni, who stated, “The videos circulating on Facebook don’t belong to our (secondary) curriculum. A faction of individuals is attempting to exploit the situation for personal gain, sowing seeds of confusion. Some are even fabricating video content and disseminating it.”
Simultaneously, the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) echoed the same sentiment, confirming that the circulated videos are not endorsed by the new curriculum. Furthermore, a stern warning was issued, cautioning that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the dissemination of misinformation.
Viral Videos
Amid the current social media buzz, a series of videos has been circulated and shared hundreds of times. The most popular ones include ‘Tiring Tiring Cycle Chalay’, ‘Frog Leap with Poem Recitation,’ Walking and Quacking,’ ‘Body-Head with Cedar Leaves in Wild Dress,’ and ‘Dance of Teachers and Students with Modhu-Maloti Song.’
The main culprits behind the widespread dissemination of these videos include Facebook pages ‘Face the People,’ ‘Tahjib Media,’ ‘Welcome Bangladesh,’ and YouTube channel ‘Khatib Media’, ‘AS Media’ and so on. Notably, these platforms have a track record of spreading similar rumors in the past.
‘Frog Dance’
A video showcasing a lively frog dance training session has taken the internet, purportedly linked to teacher training for Bangladesh’s new education curriculum. The viral footage, prominently featured on the ‘Tahjib Media’ Facebook page, has garnered a staggering 3.1 million views, with 25 thousand shares and over 117 thousand reactions at the time of this report.
Press Xpress conducted a thorough investigation, revealing that the video does not depict teacher training under the country’s new education curriculum. Instead, it captures a scene from a Cub Scouts training program. Notably, the frog dance instruction is part of this Cub Scouts initiative.
Examining the viral video closely, the frog dance instructor and a woman beside him are attired in scout outfits, with the instructor sporting a scout scarf. Further verification led to the discovery of pictures on a Facebook account named ‘Farhad Raihan,’ showing individuals donning the same attire. These images were taken during the 292nd Cub Scout Unit Leader Basic Course event at PTI, Comilla, from November 26 to 30.
The person behind the training, Yasin Babul (Md: Yashin), also the Head Master of Mantali Government Primary School in Nangalkot Upazila, Cumilla, clarified that the video captured a fun and educational game for children participating in the Cub Scout course. Yashin also said that the program was not part of the National Education Curriculum but a delightful activity for children even taught to teachers for effective instruction.
‘Tiring Tiring Cycle Chalay’
Recently another most talked about video on Facebook is ‘Tiring Tiring Cycle Chalai’. The clip features a man reciting a poem while mimicking the act of riding a bicycle, garnering widespread attention in the past few days under the misconception of being part of teacher training for the new curriculum. However, a closer look paints a different narrative.
Contrary to popular belief, this video doesn’t hail from Bangladesh; it originates from a teacher training session in the Dhubri district of Assam. Referred to as ‘tiring tiring cycle chalay’ by Bangladeshis, it is, in fact, a rendition of the poem “tilling tilling cycle chalai feriwala jay..poetry.”
Our investigation uncovered a Facebook ID and page belonging to ‘Ratan Lal Saha,’ who reposted the video on November 17th. In his post, Saha revealed that the video, which initially went viral in Assam in 2020, has now found its way to Bangladesh. He clarified that it was, indeed, a video of ‘FLN Training on Poem Poster for Oral Language Development.’ Saha, an assistant teacher in an Assam school, enjoys popularity in India for his engaging teaching methods.
Addressing the confusion, Professor Moshiuzzaman, a member of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) Curriculum Unit, stated, “I don’t have information about any such manual (curriculum training instructions) in the new curriculum. Although my focus is on secondary education, I can confirm that this content does not belong to our curriculum.”
Some Other Videos
Walking and Quacking: The video capturing teacher training in Badalgachi upazila of Naogaon in October-November last year has surfaced. The training, aligning with the manual, was an integral part of Maths Olympiad training.
Dress up Wildly: Another intriguing video hails from the neighboring Indian state of Assam, adding to the array of diverse content circulating.
Teacher-Student Dance: In August, a lively video featuring an assistant teacher and female students dancing to the tune of ‘Madhu Malti Dake Aay’ was recorded at a school and college in the capital. The dance rehearsal, involving both students and teachers, was in preparation for an upcoming school function.
Why They are Spreading Such Videos
Coaching Industry’s Bottom Line: The coaching, notes, and guidebook market in the country, valued at thousands of crores, faces a significant hit. The note guide business alone accounts for an annual market worth 3000 crore TK. With the introduction of the new curriculum, reliance on coaching and subject-specific guides is set to diminish, posing a threat to these lucrative businesses. In response, there’s an attempt to create discontent against the new curriculum by disseminating misleading information on social media.
Backlash from Creative Education System: Entrepreneurs succeeded with note guides under the previous education system. However, students now reject these notes, realizing their ineffectiveness after exams. Faced with declining business prospects, some resort to spreading falsehoods against the new curriculum, as previous plans against it fell short.
YouTube Virality and Misinformation: Keen on capitalizing on trending topics, numerous YouTubers and Facebookers are churning out videos related to the new curriculum. The attraction of more viewership prompts some to generate content, whether knowingly or unknowingly spreading rumors, with the sole intent of making their videos go viral.
What Actually The Curriculum is!
The National Curriculum Outline-2021 has kicked off activities this year, signaling a shift in education from pre-primary to 12th standard. This transformative curriculum is set to roll out gradually, with introduction slated for 1st, 6th, and 7th classes in 2023, followed by 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 9th classes in 2024. The pattern continues with 4th, 5th, and 10th classes in 2025, 11th class in 2026, culminating with 12th class in 2027.
Structured to prioritize experiential and action-based learning, the new system aims to create a student-centric and enjoyable learning environment. Emphasizing sports and creative activities, the curriculum seeks to alleviate the burden of subjects and textbooks.
Notably, a key focus is on life and livelihood education, aligning with the broader mission of fostering holistic student development. The National Curriculum Outline-2021 represents a significant step towards a more dynamic and engaging educational experience.
