Dhaka, 24 January 2024
BRAC University has ended/declined to renew the part-time teaching contract of philosophy lecturer Asif Mahtab after he tore a page from the Grade 7 History & Social Science chapter “From Sharif to Sharifa” during a public seminar in Dhaka. The university’s decision follows the incident and its subsequent review of his conduct in relation to institutional standards.
According to Mahtab, he was told by phone on Sunday night not to attend classes. In a Facebook post later that night, he wrote: “Today I took regular classes at BRAC. I just got a call (at 11 pm) telling me not to attend classes at the university. I don’t know why they suddenly made this decision. I was not given any reason.”
BRAC University’s Public Relations Officer Fatias Fahmid told Manabzamin that the university administration had officially informed Mahtab and said a full explanation would be provided regarding the employment decision.
The protest took place at a seminar titled “New Textbooks in Current Curriculum: Reality and Future,” held at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in Kakrail and organized by the National Teachers’ Forum, where Mahtab objected to the inclusion of a transgender-themed story in the Grade 7 textbook.
Source:
New Age — BRAC Univ teacher Asif terminated (22 Jan 2024): New Age
Manabzamin — পাঠ্যবইয়ের পাতা ছিঁড়ে চাকরি হারালেন শিক্ষক: mzamin.com
