NCTB chairman Riazul removed

The government has removed Professor AKM Riazul Hasan, Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), from his position, making him an Officer on Special Duty. The move follows widespread criticism.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education issued a notification in this regard on Sunday, January 26.

Professor Riazul, a pro-Awami League education cadre officer, was set to go on post-retirement leave (PRL) as his service tenure ended. However, he had allegedly been lobbying to retain his position as chairman for several months. 

Reports suggested that the Education Ministry had initially considered extending his term for an additional three months on a contractual basis.

The decision to remove Riazul comes after backlash from NCTB officials, guardians, and media reports criticising the potential extension of his tenure.

Professor AKM Riazul Hasan was appointed as the chairman of NCTB on August 31, 2024. Prior to this role, he served as an Officer on Special Duty at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (DSHE) and was a member (primary curriculum) of the NCTB.

His appointment followed the resignation of Professor Farhadul Islam, who stepped down as NCTB chairman on August 19, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League-led government on August 5.

AAH/MSU/NMA