Delays in Delivering 12 Revised History Books to BOU Students Amid Exam Preparations and Controversies

Authorities at Bangladesh Open University (BOU) have yet to distribute 12 revised history-related books for the current academic year's SSC and HSC programs under the Open School, despite completing exam routines and ongoing question paper preparation and moderation processes. Over a year after initiating revisions following the August 5 regime change last year, the books remain undelivered, forcing students to rely on outdated, controversial editions.

The affected books include HSC Bangla Second Paper, Civics and Good Governance Second Paper, Social Science Second Paper, History First Paper; SSC Bangladesh History and World Civilization, Bangladesh and World Introduction Second Paper; and five others containing historical content. In October last year, BOU formed a review committee to scrutinize allegedly distorted historical narratives in these texts. The committee submitted its recommendations to the curriculum committee, but no implementation has followed.

Allegations have surfaced that Awami League-affiliated individuals in the curriculum committee are creating obstacles, delaying the process. Sources claim the books contain biased or fabricated history, including references to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's "Unfinished Autobiography" (Asamapta Atmojiboni) in HSC Bangla First Paper's "Bayanno'r Dingulo" chapter. Recent controversies around the book's authorship have prompted Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) activity, yet BOU has not addressed similar concerns.

Additionally, nine history books were allegedly authored through an internal syndicate, leading to claims of financial embezzlement worth crores. Critics accuse Awami League-aligned writers and editors of injecting political ideology into the curriculum. For instance, former BOU VC Abdul Mannan's son, Associate Professor Zahed Mannan, is said to have directly overseen the writing under Awami influence.

Authors and editors named include: For HSC History First Paper—Prof. AKM Shahnawaz, Prof. Sharif Ullah Bhuiya, Shahidul Hasan, Ahmed Sharif, Tapan Kumar Palit, former Treasurer Dr. Ashfaq Hossain; SSC Bangladesh History and World Civilization—Prof. Mahbubur Rahman, Ashfaq Hossain, Sultana Nigar Chowdhury (edited by Muntassir Mamun); SSC Bangladesh and World Introduction Second Paper—Dr. Iqbal Hussain, Md. Abdus Sattar, Sudip Roy, Tapan Kumar Palit, Dr. Zakirul Islam, Shahina Akter, Maruf Mia, Ranjit Kumar Nath (edited by then Pro-VC Dr. Khondokar Mokaddem Hossain, Dr. Ashfaq Hossain, Mesbah Us Salehin, Dr. Priyabrat Pal, Shantanu Majumdar).

For HSC Civics and Good Governance Second Paper—Sudip Roy, Monirul Islam, Gazi Alif Parvin, Liton Bal (edited by Shantanu Majumdar); HSC Social Science Second Paper—then Pro-VC Mahbuba Nasrin, Dr. Khondokar Mokaddem Hossain, Abdus Sattar, Debasish Kumar Kundu, Dilip Kumar Ghosh (edited by Mahbuba Nasrin and Khondokar Mokaddem Hossain); HSC Bangla Second Paper—former Freedom Fighter Affairs Minister's daughter Meherin Munjarin Ratna, Bhishmadeb Chowdhury, Syed Shahriar Rahman, Dr. Chanchal Kumar Bose, Zahid Hasan Sarkar; SSC Bangla First Paper—Meherin Munjarin Ratna, Mohammad Azam, Kamal Uddin Shamim (edited by Dr. Bishwajit Ghosh).

An anonymous BOU teacher alleged, "Awami fascist history distorters, who added excessive praise for Bangabandhu, remain in key school committees, playing a cat-and-mouse game. No one is taking responsibility. Led by Meherin Munjarin Ratna, Awami fascists have formed a group. Their non-cooperation is harming BOU students, and the university faces crores in losses. We demand justice for these Awami fascist teachers."

The teacher added that the curriculum committee's indifference has prevented delivery, with no steps to implement review recommendations, disrupting education.

Another source noted that stating "Martyr President Ziaur Rahman as the declarer of independence" in BOU history books led to legal troubles for several Open School teachers, including suspensions and promotion denials. Current Pro-VC and Dhaka University former VC Professor Emajuddin Ahmed's daughter, Professor Dr. Dil Rowshan Zinnat Naznin, faced court harassment and reprimands from Justice Shamsuddin Manik.

A review committee member said, "We've done our work, but some invisible reason is preventing implementation."

BOU Registrar Professor Anisur Rahman assured, "We'll inquire and take action."

An anonymous curriculum committee member explained, "We can't send for printing without full revisions. The course teachers who inserted this history aren't cooperating. As fascist accomplices, they may not want changes. Interestingly, they've added unrelated history to Bangla and Social Science books."

They revealed that books were printed in quantities several times the need for dubious reasons, with manuscripts now worthless, costing BOU over Tk 1.5 crore in losses. "Administration wants progress, but fascist accomplices' non-cooperation prevents finalization. The committee is working; students should get books soon."

BOU VC Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam stated, "Our team is working on this. Books will reach students soon. Even without print, we've provided soft copies to concerned parties with instructions to skip controversial parts and teach the rest."

On measures against alleged non-cooperators, he said, "Puja holidays are ongoing. We'll investigate thoroughly after. A committee has been formed to probe 17 years of irregularities and corruption, and it's active."

This delay occurs amid national textbook revisions in early 2025, where references to Sheikh Hasina were removed and Ziaur Rahman credited for independence declaration. BOU's ebooks are available online, but print distribution lags, affecting Open School students. The "Unfinished Autobiography" controversy persists, with no confirmed ACC probe in search results, though authorship debates continue